Requires the commissioner of education, in conjunction with the commissioner of health and the commissioner of mental health, to develop model mental health screenings for students and associated guidelines to assist school mental health screeners to perform mental health screening services to identify concerns in students' mental health.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A4750
SPONSOR: Brown E TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law, in relation to requiring the commis-
sioner to develop model mental health screenings for students and asso-
ciated guidelines to assist school mental health screeners to perform
mental health screening services
PURPOSE:
This bill will create guidelines and model mental health screenings, and
to make them available for the use of school districts to include mental
health screenings in students' required health examinations.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
This bill would add a new section 912-C to the education law to: Direct
the Commissioner of Education, the Commissioner of Health, and the
Commissioner of Mental Health to develop guidelines and model mental
health screenings, which would become available to school districts
across the state. Such guidelines would include, but not be limited to:
recommendations for the frequency of such screenings, instructions on
confidentiality compliance, appropriate level of training for each
mental health screening variation, information on reporting of results
to appropriate agencies, recommendations for incorporating screenings as
part of other health examinations, signs and symptoms, and resources for
students to access further mental health treatment if necessary.
Such model mental health screenings and associated guidelines, and any
other related materials, shall be made available on the department's
website and to appropriate school district officials upon request at no
charge.
JUSTIFICATION:
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns,
mentalhealth and wellbeing are an urgent and growing concern Research
has shown that this crisis is taking a dangerous toll, especially on our
student population. The National Alliance on Mental illness reported in
2021 that 56.8% of New Yorkers aged 12-17 who had depression that year
did not receive any corresponding care. In order to help students find
proper and adequate care to support their mental health, it is imper-
ative to recognize and identify symptoms that they may be experiencing
as soon as possible.
In New York State, students are required to receive biennial health
examinations. However, there are no such requirements for mental health
examinations. Mental health, just like physical health, is a core aspect
of well-being and should not be overlooked.' With the growing prevalence
of depression, anxiety, and other mental health afflictions among our
students, early intervention is critical. Screenings that are specific
for mental health can be extremely helpful in informing the appropriate
school officials if students are experiencing symptoms of early or
on-going mental illnesses, which have the potential to affect their
success and ability to thrive. These screenings can identify students
who may need further diagnostic examinations or connect them with appro-
priate resources.
This legislation would promote early detection to help ensure countless
students who are struggling in silence with their mental health can
access the resources or treatment they need. By providing school
districts with informative resources and guidelines to perform mental
health screenings, New York can take a significant step forward in
addressing the mental health crisis among our youth.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023/24: A.9750-referred to education
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Minimal impact.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect one year after it shall become a law.
