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.
Establishes school based health centers to be organized through school, community, and health provider relationships and provide services in keeping with state and local laws and regulations, as well as established medical standards, and best practices.
Requires training for teachers, administrators and instructors in the area of mental health response; requires office of mental health to assist in development of curriculum for training.
This bill requires New York State teachers to complete 10 hours of specific mental health and trauma-informed training during each five-year teaching license renewal period. It mandates that this training cover topics like trauma-informed care, identifying mental health symptoms, adverse childhood experiences, crisis de-escalation, and mental health first aid. The training must be part of the existing 100-hour continuing education requirement for teachers. The law applies directly to all licensed teachers and school leaders seeking license renewal after July 1, 2026. The New York State Education Department will develop the required course standards and content.
Requires policies regarding maximum temperatures in school buildings and facilities to include a plan to remove students and staff from occupied spaces where practicable when educational and support services spaces reach eighty-eight degrees Fahrenheit.
Strengthens protections against discrimination, harassment, and bullying based on actual or perceived immigration status, and to improve implementation and oversight under the Dignity for All Students Act.
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.
Requires annual screenings for depression of students in grades seven through twelve; requires the department of education and the department of health to review data pertaining to the results of such screenings for local and statewide trends concerning teenage depression.
Relates to improving student mental health and mental health literacy in institutions of higher education in the state; requires the amendment or adoption of related protocols, policies and programs in SUNY, CUNY and independent institutions of higher education.
Requires each school district to ensure that every public school in which school days exceed five hours in duration provides up to thirty minutes of daily recess within the school day for all students in kindergarten through fifth grade and for students in sixth grade who attend an elementary school.
