Bill > A04921

This bill establishes the College Student Suicide Prevention Act, which requires all higher education institutions in New York to develop comprehensive policies and guidelines to address student mental health and suicide prevention by August 1, 2026. The bill is motivated by alarming statistics showing suicide is the second leading cause of death for young adults, with one in four college-aged students reporting serious suicidal thoughts. The legislation mandates that colleges develop detailed suicide prevention strategies, including mandatory training for residential assistants and staff in suicide intervention techniques, creating awareness programs about mental health risks, establishing partnerships with community mental health providers, and developing specialized support protocols for high-risk student populations such as LGBTQ youth, students with disabilities, and those experiencing significant financial or academic challenges. Institutions must create policies covering suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention, with specific requirements like identifying suicide risk factors, revising emergency contact protocols, assessing campus environments for potential suicide risks, and ensuring sensitive, culturally competent support mechanisms. The bill also requires periodic policy reviews and directs the Board of Regents to develop model policies to guide implementation, ultimately aiming to improve mental health resources and support systems for college students across New York state.

Education

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A4921