This bill requires New York teachers and school leaders to complete at least 10 hours of mandatory continuing education every five years focused on mental health and trauma-informed care, as part of their existing 100-hour license renewal requirement. It directs the health and education departments to develop course materials covering topics like identifying mental health concerns, trauma-informed practices, crisis de-escalation, and adverse childhood experiences. The training must include evidence-based programs such as mental health first aid and will be integrated into standard professional development. This directly affects all licensed educators renewing their credentials after 2026, aligning their professional development with mental health support for students.
Directs the office of mental health to develop materials relating to suicide prevention and identifying signs of depression for school-aged children; authorizes school districts to include suicide prevention in health class curriculum.
Requires two qualified psychiatrists to be employed by each school district to perform and coordinate the provision of mental health services in the public schools.
This bill expands Medicaid coverage to include services provided by school psychologists who are certified or authorized under New York's education law. It directly affects students in public schools, as it allows school psychologists to bill Medicaid for services that were previously not covered under the program. The key provision adds school psychologists to Medicaid's covered providers, specifying that this change does not alter their existing scope of practice defined by education law. The bill requires state agencies to implement necessary rule changes before its effective date, 180 days after enactment.
Provides that a mental health certificate shall be requested from each student at the same time health certificates are required; provides that an assessment and mental health history of any child may be requested by the local school authorities at any time in their discretion to promote the educational interests of such child; makes related provisions.
Requires that health and welfare services and facilities paid by a school district for a student attending school outside the district be no greater than the district's cost.
This bill changes the law to require all public and non-public schools in New York State to keep epinephrine devices on-site in every instructional facility. Previously, schools were only permitted to have these emergency medications, but this amendment makes their presence mandatory for any student or staff member experiencing anaphylactic symptoms. The state commissioner of education, working with the commissioner of health, will determine the specific types and quantities of devices needed to ensure ready access during emergencies.
Requires all public school districts, charter schools and non-public schools in the state that participate in the national school lunch program or school breakfast program as provided in the national child nutrition act to serve breakfast and lunch at no cost to the student.
Requires at least one full-time guidance counselor to be employed in each elementary, intermediate, middle, junior and senior high school throughout the state; sets duties of guidance counselors.
This bill requires all New York public school districts (except New York City) to employ certified school psychologists and licensed school social workers to provide mental health services. It amends education law to mandate these professionals as part of required school mental health services, including evaluations, assessments, and interventions for students' mental health needs. The law specifies these roles must be in addition to staff required under federal special education law (IDEA), directly affecting every public school district and all students attending those schools. The bill defines the scope of services, including confidentiality protocols and school environment recommendations, without altering existing health service requirements.
