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2024 SESSION

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HB 224 Public schools; mental health awareness training.

Introduced by: Rozia A. Henson, Jr. | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles | history

SUMMARY AS PASSED:

Public schools; teachers and other relevant personnel; mental health awareness training. Requires each teacher and other relevant personnel, as determined by the applicable school board, employed on a full-time basis to complete mental health awareness training that addresses the needs of youth populations that are at a high risk of experiencing mental health challenges and disorders in accordance with evidence-based best practices developed by the American Psychological Association. Current law requires such teachers and personnel to complete mental health awareness training but does not contain any requirements relating to the specific topics such training must address. The bill prohibits any of its provisions or any policy adopted in accordance with its provisions from being construed to permit biased or discriminatory treatment of any youth population deemed to be at a high risk of experiencing mental health challenges and disorders.

SUMMARY AS PASSED HOUSE:

Public schools; teachers and other relevant personnel; mental health awareness training. Requires each teacher and other relevant personnel, as determined by the applicable school board, employed on a full-time basis to complete mental health awareness training that addresses the needs of youth populations that are at a high risk of experiencing mental health challenges and disorders. Current law requires such teachers and personnel to complete mental health awareness training but does not contain any requirements relating to the specific topics such training must address.

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Public schools; mental health awareness training and instruction; requirements. Requires the health education program required for each public school to include, at such grade levels as the Board of Education deems appropriate, an age-appropriate program of instruction on suicide prevention and awareness, consistent with curriculum guidelines developed by the Board and approved by the State Board of Health, that includes instruction on the importance of safe and healthy choices in relation to mental health wellness, healthy coping strategies, and strategies and resources for seeking help when a student is or knows someone who is experiencing thoughts or ideations of suicide or self-harm. The bill requires the Board to develop and the State Board of Health to approve curriculum guidelines for such program of instruction on suicide prevention and awareness. The bill also requires each teacher and other relevant personnel, as determined by the applicable school board, employed on a full-time basis to complete mental health awareness training that addresses the needs of youth populations that are at a high risk of experiencing mental health challenges and disorders. Current law requires such teachers and personnel to complete mental health awareness training but does not contain any requirements relating to the specific topics such training must address.