Requires training for teachers and administrators in the area of mental health response; requires office of mental health to assist in development of curriculum for training.
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.
Requires the department of education to develop school health and mental health professionals to student ratios in public schools for students who do not receive services pursuant to the individuals with disabilities education act.
Allows for unlicensed personnel to administer certain seizure rescue medication in schools, on school grounds and at school events; provides that such medicine may be left with a school health official to be used as needed.
Establishes a farm-to-school food service reimbursement program for school districts which have purchased at least thirty percent of their total food products, including both dairy and non-dairy products, for their food service programs from New York state farmers, growers, producers or processors, based upon the number of federally reimbursable meals served to students under such program agreements entered into by the commissioner and such districts.
Requires all school employees complete student mental wellness training on identifying signs and symptoms of mental health issues, eating disorders, behavioral health disorders, and substance use disorders, the use of evidence-based training programs including, but not limited to, mental health first aid or core elements of such programs to the extent practicable, and safe de-escalation of crisis situations.
Enacts the "making equitable and alternative lunches (MEAL) act"; requires a public school to offer a plant-based food option, a halal food option and a kosher food option as an alternative to every meal or snack offered in food service to any student who chooses such alternative meal or snack as an option.
This bill (S 8488) allows students in New York schools to earn physical education (PE) credits by completing state-approved lifeguard certification training courses. It directs the Board of Regents to create rules enabling schools to count such training toward required PE credits. The policy directly affects students in public schools who complete certified lifeguard programs, replacing traditional PE instruction for credit purposes. The change applies only to courses meeting New York State’s lifeguard training standards.
This bill requires all public elementary schools in the state to start classes no earlier than 8:00 a.m. and public secondary schools (high schools) no earlier than 8:30 a.m. It directly affects public schools by mandating these start times for all academic years beginning after the bill takes effect. The key mechanism links school funding to compliance: schools must report in their annual reports that they met the start time requirements to receive state apportionments. The law applies immediately to all affected schools, with no exceptions for earlier start times.
This bill requires all New York schools to integrate instruction on preventing co-occurring disorders - such as mental health issues combined with substance misuse (alcohol, tobacco, or drugs) - into their standard health education curriculum. The instruction must be tailored to students' grade levels, focusing on promoting mental wellness, healthy decision-making, and understanding pathways to addiction. Schools must develop this content with input from existing advisory councils on youth substance abuse and suicide prevention. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, applying to all public and private schools offering health education.
