Bill > S09101

This bill establishes a new program within the education law to promote the mental health and wellness of teachers and staff in public schools by creating a dedicated "teacher mental health support fund" that will receive money from various sources, excluding the state's general fund. This fund will be used to provide grants to local school districts, or groups of districts, for both planning and operational purposes. Eligible recipients include teachers, aides, paraprofessionals, principals, secretaries, and other administrative staff, who can use the grant money for services like counseling from licensed mental health professionals, programs focused on resilience and stress management, and professional development in mental health and self-care. School districts must apply for these grants, with applications for planning grants being competitive and a prerequisite for operational grants in subsequent years. The bill also outlines criteria for applications, including financial needs, employee satisfaction, and student success rates, and mandates the establishment of an advisory committee to guide the program. The commissioner of education will be responsible for developing standardized applications, adopting necessary regulations, and reporting annually to the legislature on the program's impact.

Education

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S9101