NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A9692
SPONSOR: Eachus 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 and trauma informed care
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To include mental health and trauma informed care training in the manda-
tory continuing education for teachers.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends the mental hygiene law by adding a new subdivision (d)
that requires the Commissioner of Mental Health, in consultation with
the commissioners of the Department of Health and the State Education
Department, to develop educational and program materials related to
mental health and trauma informed care, that will be offered as part of
the required continuing teacher and leader education requirements.
Section 2 amends paragraph a of subdivision 2 of section 3006-a of the
education law to require that 10 of the 100 hours of continuing teacher
and leader education that is needed in a 5-year period be related to
mental health and trauma informed care.
JUSTIFICATION:
Nearly 35 million children have experienced at least one event that
could lead to childhood trauma. In addition, 72% of children in the US
will experience at least one traumatic event (e.g., witnessing or being
a victim of violence; experiencing sexual, physical, or emotional abuse;
suffering a serious injury or medical condition; death of a parent or
sibling) before the age of 18 (1).
In addition, the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted children across the
country in ways that are yet to be discovered.
Evidence suggests that youth exposed to trauma will have few social
skills and be more likely to face rejection from their peers. Students
who have experienced a traumatic event have an increased risk for
academic, social, and emotional problems as a result of these experi-
ences (2).
Schools are uniquely positioned to be an ideal setting to help students
who have experienced trauma by ensuring as long as educators have the
skills to address trauma-related psychological problems. This bill will
help teachers receive training in mental health and specifically crisis
and emotional trauma.
Professionals from the Offices of Mental Health, NYS Department of
Health and State Education department will develop course
Materials/curriculum specific to mental health and emotional trauma as
part of the required continuing teacher and leader education require-
ments.
This training will be a step to helping educators address the needs of
students who may be acting out or struggling due to traumatic events
beyond their control. In our modern world, these skills seem more impor-
tant than ever for teachers to acquire.
1: https://www.nasponline.oreresources-and-publications/ resources-
andpodcasts/school-climatesafety-and-crisis/mental- health-
resources/trauma
2: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.govipmciarticles/PMC3287974/
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2020: S.8304
2021/2022: S.3681
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
To be determined.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.
