BILL NUMBER: S3627A
SPONSOR: FERNANDEZ
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law and the mental hygiene law, in
relation to requiring training for teachers and administrators in the
area of mental health response training
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This legislation requires teachers and administrators to receive mental
health response training
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 adds two new subdivisions 7 and 8 to section 3004 of the
education law. New subdivision 7 establishes the timeframe for implemen-
tation and describes the general content of the training to be provided
to teachers and administrators. New subdivision 8 states that the mental
health training shall not include training in the diagnosis, treatment
or counseling of students, peers or members of the community.
Section 2 adds a new subdivision (i) to section 7.07 of the mental
hygiene law stating that the office of mental health shall advise and
assist the commissioner of education in developing a training outline
for teachers and administrators in the area of mental health response
training and prohibits the provision of any service for which a license,
registration, certification or other authorization under title 8 of the
education law is required.
Section 3 is the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
According to a study by the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI),
the prevalence of mental illness among school-age youth is rising rapid-
ly. Among young people aged 13-18, 46% are impacted by ongoing mental
health challenges. When these conditions are left unrecognized and unad-
dressed, there can be dire consequences, including harm to self and
others. For example, suicide among youth increased 56% between 2007 and
2016.
Educators are on the front lines and have frequent and substantive
contact with young people. We need to ensure they are trained to recog-
nize the signs of mental illness among the youth in their charge and are
equipped to appropriately respond. This bill would require the office of
mental health to advise and assist the commissioner of education to
develop a training outline that will prepare educators to recognize
mental health issues and to take proactive steps to address those
issues.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-24: A4879B- referredto education
2021-22: A2134 (Fernandez) - referred to education
2019-20: A5481 (Fernandez) - referred to education
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
Staff time and resources will be required at the state office of mental
health and the state department of education to develop and maintain
updated training outline in the area of mental health response for
teachers and administrators.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S3627: 3004 education law, 7.07 mental hygiene law
S3627A: 3004 education law, 7.07 mental hygiene law