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.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A7362
SPONSOR: Brown K TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law, in relation to requiring all school
employees complete student mental wellness training
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
The purpose of this bill is to require all school employees complete
student mental wellness training.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one of this bill amends the education law by adding a new
section 319 to read as follows: Student mental wellness training.
1.Every employee of each elementary, intermediate, middle, junior high
and senior high school within the state shall complete student mental
wellness training each year. 2. The commissioner in consultation with
the Department of Mental Hygiene, shall develop the annual student
mental wellness training and any course materials to be offered as part
of such training pursuant to subdivision one of this section. Such
training shall include, but not be limited to: (a) identifying signs and
symptoms of mental health issues, eating disorders, behavioral health
disorders, and substance use disorders. (b) 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. (c) safe
de-escalation of crisis situations.
Section two of this bill establishes the effective date.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORIGINAL AND AMENDED VERSION (IF APPLICABLE):
N/A
JUSTIFICATION:
According to the CDC our youth are experiencing a mental health crisis.
Post pandemic there has been an increase in childhood depression, eating
disorders, suicidal ideation, panic attacks and anxiety. When we look at
statistical information concerning our youth, we find that approximately
13.7% are experiencing serious thoughts of suicide, 20.17% of youth
(ages 1217) reported suffering from at least one major depressive
episode, 8.95% of youth in the U.S. reported a substance use disorder in
the past year and 56.1% of youth with major depression did not receive
any mental health treatment.
According to the World Health Organization, it is crucial to address the
needs of adolescents with mental health conditions through early
detection and treatment. Schools can play a critical role in this.
The US Department of Health and Human Services suggests that schools
create positive, safe, and affirming school environments. Expand social
and emotional learning programs and other evidence-based approaches that
promote healthy development. Provide a continuum of support to meet
student mental health needs, including evidence-based prevention prac-
tices and trauma-informed, culturally responsive mental health care.
Expand the school-based mental health workforce and support the mental
health of all school personnel. Protect and prioritize students with
higher needs and those at higher risk of mental health challenges.
However, in order to do this effectively, school personnel must be able
to recognize the signs of mental health issues and substance use disor-
ders in their students.
The NY State SAVE Act has a Mental Health Training component to it,
requiring all schools to provide mental health training for their staff.
However, a June 2022 report from the Office of the Comptroller revealed
that schools were lacking in providing this training in a timely fashion
and that trainings offered by many of the Districts lacked sufficient
content to ensure that staff were, at a minimum, trained on recommended
mental health components such as the 10 mental health warning signs, or
"whom to turn to" and "how to access crisis support and services." The
extenuating circumstance cited by some school districts concerning the
results of this audit was that it was conducted during COVID when prior-
ities were focused on returning staff and students back into the
schools.
Since then, some schools have enrolled in programs such as Sandy Hooks
Promise Program which provides "Know the Signs' training for both adults
and students. Importantly, although training is available, it is only
fully effective if all staff, in all our schools, receive the training
required to recognize youth at risk.
This bill shall require that schools ensure that all staff receive the
necessary training to recognize mental health warning signs and know the
steps to follow to get those students help. By mandating this training
statewide all those working with• youth within our school systems will
be prepared when encountering youth at risk.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the first of July next succeeding the date
on which it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addi-
tion, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for
the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized to
be made and completed on or before such effective date.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
7362
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
March 25, 2025
___________
Introduced by M. of A. K. BROWN -- read once and referred to the Commit-
tee on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to requiring all school
employees complete student mental wellness training
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 319 to
2 read as follows:
3 § 319. Student mental wellness training. 1. Every employee of each
4 elementary, intermediate, middle, junior high and senior high school
5 within the state shall complete student mental wellness training each
6 year.
7 2. The commissioner in consultation with the department of mental
8 hygiene, the office of addiction services and supports, and the depart-
9 ment of health, shall develop the annual student mental wellness train-
10 ing and any course materials to be offered as part of such training
11 pursuant to subdivision one of this section. Such training shall
12 include, but not be limited to:
13 (a) identifying signs and symptoms of mental health issues, eating
14 disorders, behavioral health disorders, and substance use disorders.
15 (b) the use of evidence-based training programs including, but not
16 limited to, mental health first aid or core elements of such programs to
17 the extent practicable.
18 (c) safe de-escalation of crisis situations.
19 § 2. This act shall take effect on the first of July next succeeding
20 the date on which it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the
21 addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary
22 for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized
23 to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04576-01-5
