BILL NUMBER: S3969
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 1: Amends Section 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 2: Amends paragraph a of subdivision 2 of section 3006-a of the
education law to require that continuing teacher and leader education
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 3: Authorizes the Commissioner of education to promulgate any
necessary rules and regulations.
Section 4: 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 aid"
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
* Persuading self-help and other support strategies
* Encouraging appropriate professional help
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
S.1924 of 2023-2024; Referred to Mental Health;
S.2774 of 2021-22:Referred to Mental Health
S.5704 of2019-20:Referred to Mental Health and Developmental Disabili-
ties
S.3550 of 2017-18:Referred to Mental Health and Developmental Disabili-
ties
S.6234-B of 2016:Amended and Recommitted to Education
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the
date on which it shall have become a law.