BILL NUMBER: S1924
SPONSOR: SEPULVEDA
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the mental hygiene law and the education law, in
relation to mandatory continuing education for teachers relating to
mental health issues
 
PURPOSE:
Relates to mandatory continuing education for teachers relating to
mental health issues.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section One: Amends Secton 7.23 of the mental hygiene law by adding a
new subdivision (d) to provide for the development of course materials
in consultation with the Offices of Mental Health, Alcoholism and
Substance Abuse Services, Health and Education.
Section Two: Amends paragraph a of subdivision 2 of section 3006-a Of
the education law to require that continuing teacher and leader educa-
tion shall include at least twice during the 5 year registration period
programs and activities related to mental illness, eating disorders and
behavioral health disorders.
Section Three: Authorizes the Commissioner of education to promulgate
any necessary rules and regulations.
Section Four: Provides for the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Our youth spend more time in school than they do anywhere else except
their own home. School is one of the best places for both educators and
students to become increasingly aware of mental health, mental health
problems and mental disorders. Thusly, making school one of the most
efficient places to use in developing and delivering interventions that
can improve youth mental health effectively and efficiently.
The Mental Health First Aid curriculum is unique in that it is aimed at
nonprofessional audiences and specifically seeks to aid in reducing
social distance, increase help-seeking and helping behaviors and provide
strategies to assist an individual in crisis.
Professionals from the Offices of Mental Health, Alcoholism and
Substance Abuse, NYS Department of Health and State education department
shall develop course materials/curriculum which shall be available to
school districts. Below are primary points that emphasize why the notion
of a "first alder" approach is vital to the community.
*Mental health problems are common.
*People with mental health problems often face negative attitudes and
discrimination.
*Many people are not well informed about mental health problems.
*Professional help is not always on hand.
*People often do not know how to respond.
*People with mental health problems often do not seek help.
*A continuing education curriculum would assist in educators responding
to their students by;
*Assessing for risk of suicide or harm
*Learning to listen with a non-judgmental attitude
*Sharing reassurance and information with knowledge and confidence
*The correct way to encourage appropriate professional help
*Persuade self-help and other support strategies
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
S. 2774 of 2021-22: Referred to Mental Health
S. 5704 of 2019-20: Referred to Mental Health and Developmental Disabil-
ities
S. 3550 of 2017-18: Referred to Mental Health and Developmental Disabil-
ities
S. 6234-B of 2016: Amended and Recommitted to Education
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
TBD
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the
date on which it shall have become a law.

Statutes affected:
S1924: 7.23 mental hygiene law, 3006-a education law, 3006-a(2) education law