Bill > S2220

Introduced Session

This bill establishes a Purple Ribbon Schools Program in the Department of Education. Under the program, the Commissioner of Education will annually recognize as a Purple Ribbon School those public and nonpublic schools that provide or have made significant progress to:· provide a safe and inclusive environment for students and staff;· raise awareness of the issue of student suicide and suicide prevention; and· address the issue of student mental health and teacher mental health first aid training. Under the bill, the commissioner will establish a Purple Ribbon Schools Working Group which will develop criteria for public and nonpublic schools to qualify for a Purple Ribbon School designation. The working group will consist of members appointed by the commissioner and will be composed of, but need not be limited to: a school principal; a school administrator; a middle school teacher; a high school teacher; a school counselor; a school social worker; a school psychologist; a person with personal or family experience with suicide; a person with knowledge and expertise in the prevention of youth suicide in high-risk populations; a person who has a background in, or special knowledge of, the legal, policy, educational, social, or psychological aspects of bullying; and a student who has been the victim of harassment, intimidation, or bullying. The criteria established by the working group for a Purple Ribbon Schools designation will include, but need not be limited to, the school's efforts to:· highlight and promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging; · create safe, welcoming, and inclusive environments for all students, faculty, and staff regardless of race or sexual and gender identities, including the establishment of wellness rooms for mindfulness and social-emotional learning;· implement policies and programs to assist students struggling with mental health and substance abuse issues; and· provide teachers, faculty, and staff with opportunities for instruction in mental health issues and trauma-informed care provided by a licensed health care professional with training and expertise in mental health issues. The working group, in consultation with the commissioner, will establish a scoring system based on the criteria developed to be used by the commissioner in the selection of Purple Ribbon Schools.

AI Summary

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Teresa Ruiz (D)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Education Committee (on 01/09/2024)

Official Document