Senate Bill S6516

                                
 
BILL NUMBER: S6516

SPONSOR: BAILEY
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the education law, in relation to requiring two quali-
fied psychiatrists to be employed by each school district

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

The act amends the education law two certified psychiatrists per
district so that they can provide adequate mental health services to our
students.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1: Subdivision 2 of section 902 of the education law is amended
by adding a new paragraph c that states the board of education, the
trustee, or board of trustees of each school district must employ 2
certified psychiatrists that will provide adequate mental health
services.
              

Section 2: This act shall take effect immediately.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

According to a study by the National Alliance of Mental Illness, 20% of
youth ages 13-18 live with a mental health condition, 11% of youth have
a mood disorder, and 10% of youth have behavior or conduct disorder. Or
those students who have mental health issues, 50% drop out of high
school.

These numbers are shocking. With growing levels of mental health illness
within our student population, more has to be done to tackle such issues
and help the students the best way we can. Often times, a school nurse
or a guidance counselor is not adept to handle strict mental health
issues and a more certified individual is required. As such, employing
two certified psychiatrists per school district is a strong start to
tackling this crisis and will help our most vulnerable students.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

None

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

To be decided

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately