S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
6775
2009-2010 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
March 12, 2009
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Introduced by M. of A. ROBINSON -- read once and referred to the Commit-
tee on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to requiring instruction
related to the prevention of suicide as an integral part of health
education
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 804-e
to read as follows:
S 804-E. INSTRUCTION RELATED TO THE PREVENTION OF SUICIDE AMONG
YOUTHS. 1. ALL SCHOOLS SHALL BE AUTHORIZED TO INCLUDE, AS AN INTEGRAL
PART OF HEALTH EDUCATION, INSTRUCTION REGARDING THE PREVENTION OF
SUICIDE AMONG YOUTHS.
2. INSTRUCTION REGARDING THE PREVENTION OF SUICIDE SHALL BE INCLUDED
IN THE HEALTH EDUCATION PROVIDED FOR ALL SECONDARY SCHOOL PUPILS AND
SHALL BE TAUGHT BY TEACHERS CERTIFIED IN HEALTH EDUCATION. RELATED
COURSES IN THE SECONDARY SCHOOL CURRICULUM MAY BE TAUGHT IN A MANNER
SUPPORTIVE OF HEALTH EDUCATION REGARDING THE PREVENTION OF SUICIDE AMONG
YOUTHS. SUCH CURRICULUM SHALL INCLUDE INSTRUCTION RELATING TO THE SIGNS
AND RESPONSES TO DEPRESSION AND THE RISKS OF SUICIDE AMONG YOUTHS.
3. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL PROMULGATE RULES AND REGULATIONS TO ESTAB-
LISH A CURRICULUM FOR INSTRUCTION REGARDING THE PREVENTION OF SUICIDE
AMONG YOUTHS FOR THE WELFARE OF PUPILS AND THE COMMUNITY TO BE AVAILABLE
IN SCHOOL DISTRICTS. THE CONTENTS MAY BE VARIED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF
PARTICULAR SCHOOL DISTRICTS, OR PORTIONS THEREOF, AND NEED NOT BE
UNIFORM THROUGHOUT THE STATE.
4. SCHOOL AUTHORITIES SHALL BE AUTHORIZED TO PROVIDE THE NEEDED FACIL-
ITIES, TIME, AND PLACE FOR THE INSTRUCTION SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION AND
TO PROVIDE LEARNING AIDS AND CURRICULUM RESOURCE MATERIALS WHICH
CONTRIBUTE TO EFFECTIVE TEACHING METHODS AND LEARNING IN HEALTH EDUCA-
TION REGARDING THE PREVENTION OF SUICIDE AMONG YOUTHS.
S 2. This act shall take effect on the first of July next succeeding
the date on which it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10262-01-9