Bill > A04111

This bill requires annual depression screenings for students in grades seven through twelve in New York state, to be conducted by a qualified professional (defined as a school psychologist, nurse, counselor, social worker, or physician) using a standardized tool like the Patient Health Questionnaire 2. The screening process must protect student privacy and confidentiality, and if a student's results suggest potential depression, parents will be notified within 90 days and encouraged to follow up with the student's primary care physician. School authorities are required to forward aggregated, non-identifying screening data to the state departments of education and health, who will use this information to identify statewide trends in teenage depression and develop community-based initiatives to address the issue. The bill also tasks the state health commissioner with assisting the education commissioner in developing regulations for these screenings. The new requirements will take effect on the first of September following the bill's passage into law, aiming to proactively identify and support students' mental health needs.

Education

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A4111