Bill > S945

Introduced Session

This bill requires school psychologists and school counselors to complete a mental health first aid training course established or approved by the Department of Education. Under the bill, every school psychologist and school counselor would be required to complete a mental health first aid training course established or approved by the Department of Education during the person's first year of employment. If a person is employed as a school psychologist or school counselor on the effective date of the bill, then the person would be required to complete the mental health first aid training course during the first year following the bill's effective date. The bill also requires every school psychologist and school counselor to complete the mental health first aid training course at least once every three years as a part of the professional development requirements established by the State Board of Education. Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Education, in consultation with the Department of Human Services, to establish or approve, as necessary, a mental health first aid training course to instruct school personnel on how to recognize and address the signs of mental illness in children and adolescents. This training course would be required to consist of no less than eight hours and, at a minimum, include information on the following topics: (1) the methods of identifying, understanding, and responding to signs of mental health illnesses and substance use disorders; (2) the risk factors and warning signs for mental health illnesses and substance use disorders; (3) the interventions and strategies that may be used to assist an individual in both crisis and non-crisis situations; and (4) an overview of mental health illnesses that may present in children and adolescents, including depression and mood disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma, psychosis, and substance use disorders The bill also requires the training course to be reviewed and updated, as necessary, not less than once every three years, to ensure that the contents of the course reflect the current understanding of mental health issues, and continues to comply with the requirements of the bill.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Kristin Corrado (R)*,  Holly Schepisi (R), 

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

Official Document