S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
3041
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
January 23, 2025
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Introduced by M. of A. KELLES, COLTON, CRUZ, TAYLOR, SIMON, SAYEGH,
EPSTEIN, BURDICK, DAVILA, ZACCARO -- read once and referred to the
Committee on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law and the mental hygiene law, in
relation to requiring training for teachers, administrators and
instructors in the area of mental health response training
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Section 3004 of the education law is amended by adding two
new subdivisions 7 and 8 to read as follows:
7. NO LATER THAN TWELVE MONTHS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SUBDI-
VISION, THE COMMISSIONER, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE OFFICE OF MENTAL
HEALTH, SHALL REQUIRE THE TRAINING OF TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATORS, AND
INSTRUCTORS IN THE AREA OF MENTAL HEALTH RESPONSE TRAINING. SUCH MENTAL
HEALTH RESPONSE TRAINING SHALL INCLUDE INSTRUCTION IN:
A. THE RECOGNITION OF THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF PRESENT OR DEVELOPING
MENTAL HEALTH CRISES OR ILLNESSES;
B. THE AWARENESS OF AND APPROPRIATE RESPONSE TO MENTAL HEALTH CRISES
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ATTEMPTED SUICIDE OR SUICIDAL IDEATION, THE
THREAT OR PRACTICE OF SELF-HARM OR HARM TO OTHERS, SUBSTANCE USE DISOR-
DERS, DEPRESSION, ANXIETY AND PANIC ATTACKS, AND OTHER MENTAL HEALTH
CRISES OR ILLNESSES, IN KEEPING WITH STANDARDS PROMULGATED BY THE AMERI-
CAN ACADEMY OF MENTAL HEALTH AND AS DETERMINED BY THE COMMISSIONER;
C. IDENTIFYING AND SHARING INFORMATION, AS DETERMINED BY THE COMMIS-
SIONER BUT WHICH SHALL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, ABOUT MENTAL
HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, SERVICES AND RESOURCES, THE ROLE OF FAMILIAL AND
SOCIAL SUPPORTS FOR THE PREVENTION, TREATMENT, AND RECOVERY FROM MENTAL
ILLNESS, AND THE IMPORTANCE OF DIET, NUTRITION, EXERCISE, AND REGULAR
SOCIALIZATION IN THE MANAGEMENT OF STRESS, ANXIETY, DEPRESSION AND
ADDICTION OR OTHER SUCH MENTAL HEALTH CRISES AND ILLNESSES.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00048-01-5
A. 3041 2
8. MENTAL HEALTH RESPONSE TRAINING SHALL NOT INCLUDE TRAINING IN THE
DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT, OR COUNSELING OF STUDENTS, PEERS, OR MEMBERS OF
THE COMMUNITY. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL BE DEEMED TO ALLOW A
PERSON TO PROVIDE ANY SERVICE FOR WHICH A LICENSE, REGISTRATION, CERTIF-
ICATION OR OTHER AUTHORIZATION UNDER TITLE EIGHT OF THE EDUCATION LAW IS
REQUIRED AND WHICH THE PERSON DOES NOT POSSESS. THE COMMISSIONER IS
AUTHORIZED TO PROMULGATE RULES AND REGULATIONS NECESSARY TO ESTABLISH
SUCH TRAINING PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION.
§ 2. Section 7.07 of the mental hygiene law is amended by adding a new
subdivision (i) to read as follows:
(I) THE OFFICE OF MENTAL HEALTH SHALL ADVISE AND ASSIST THE COMMIS-
SIONER OF EDUCATION IN DEVELOPING A TRAINING CURRICULUM FOR TEACHERS,
ADMINISTRATORS, AND INSTRUCTORS IN THE AREA OF MENTAL HEALTH RESPONSE
TRAINING AS DESCRIBED IN SECTION THREE THOUSAND FOUR OF THE EDUCATION
LAW.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.