BILL NUMBER: S5491
SPONSOR: ASHBY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to establishing a
mental wellness group pilot program
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill would direct the Office of Mental Health to create the "Mental
Wellness Group Pilot Program". This pilot program would empower insur-
ance companies to work with school districts to create student-led
mental wellness groups.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one amends mental hygiene law to direct the Office of Mental
Health to create the "Mental Wellness Group Pilot Program." The office
is tasked with promulgating all necessary rules and regulations for the
pilot program.
The office will award competitive grants of up to $500,000 each year for
5 years to insurance companies that demonstrate the ability to implement
the pilot program and contract with counseling services within certain
geographic regions.
The counseling services will launch groups of 2 or more children (ages
10 to 18 years) that will be known as Mental Wellness Groups. The chil-
dren may come from public, private or homeschools to gather in-person
and work towards mental wellness goals that they have established.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Access to mental health services is often wanted, but not attainable.
Children and their parents shouldn't have to jump through hoops to find
mental health care. Moreover, we need to create opportunities where
children can help each other obtain their mental wellness goals. If
children's mental health was more pro-active, there might not be so many
mental health crises.
Therefore, this legislation directs the Office of Mental Health to
create a program and to award competitive grants to insurance companies
who are able to start regional "Mental Wellness Groups". These "Mental
Wellness Groups" would partner children ages 10 to 18 with counseling
services, no matter if the children attend public or private schools or
if they are home-schooled.
The goals of these groups will be established by the children in
conjunction with their counselors, and will take on a student-led
approach. The mental wellness group will provide a safe space that helps
students identify problems, causes, alternatives and possible conse-
quences so they can make decisions and take appropriate actions and help
students overcome any issues that impede achievement or success.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-24: S.7238, referred to Mental Health
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the 30th day after it shall have become a
law.