Bill > SB456

This bill establishes a Study Commission for Children's Futures, which will be administratively attached to the department of education, to examine various aspects of children's health and well-being in the state and identify shortcomings in mental and physical health services. The commission will be composed of a diverse group of individuals, including legislators from both the House and Senate, healthcare professionals, a child psychologist, a mental health provider, teachers (one specializing in special education), a dietitian, a law enforcement officer, and parents of children residing in the state. This commission is tasked with studying a wide range of issues, such as the use and trends of individualized education programs (IEPs), the prescription of psychoactive pharmaceuticals to children, reported mental health issues in youth, the prevalence of mental health crises among young people, changes in childhood cancer and long-term diseases, diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit disorder, the provision of mental health services to minors, the presence of criminal street gangs, violence in public schools and its impact, school attendance rates, adverse childhood experiences, children's exposure to pornography, and youth homelessness. The commission will elect a chairperson, hold its first meeting within 45 days of the bill's passage, and require eight members for a quorum. It will then submit annual reports detailing its findings and legislative recommendations to various state officials and the state library by November 1st each year.