Bill Text: CA SB330 | 2013-2014 | Regular Session | Amended

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Pupil instruction: health framework: mental health instruction.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-1)

Status: (Passed) 2013-10-02 - Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 481, Statutes of 2013. [SB330 Detail]

Download: California-2013-SB330-Amended.html

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BILL NUMBER: SB 330	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  MAY 8, 2013
	AMENDED IN SENATE  APRIL 1, 2013

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Padilla
    (   Coauthor:   Senator   Beall
  ) 

                        FEBRUARY 19, 2013

   An act to add Section 51900.5 to the Education Code, relating to
pupil instruction.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 330, as amended, Padilla.  Comprehensive health
education plans:   Pupil instruction: health framework:
 mental health instruction.
   Existing law requires the State Department of Education to prepare
and distribute to school districts guidelines for the preparation of
comprehensive health education plans, and requires approval of
district plans to be made in accordance with rules and regulations
adopted by the State Board of Education.  Existing law also
establishes the Instructional Quality Commission   and
requires the commission to, among other things, recommend curriculum
frameworks to the state board. 
   This bill would require, during the next revision of the
publication "Health Framework for California Public Schools," the
 state board and the Instructional Quality Commission to
create   commission to develop, and recommend for
adoption by the state board,  a distinct category on mental
health instruction, as described,  so that   to
educate  pupils  are knowledgeable  about all
aspects of mental health. The bill would require the department to
convene stakeholders in the mental health and educational fields, as
provided, to provide input for the development of the mental health
instruction in the  comprehensive health education plans
  health framework  . The bill would require the
department to review information and programs from other states and
countries. Commencing with the 2013-14 school year, the bill would
authorize a school district to provide to pupils in any grades mental
health instruction.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
   (a) Mental health is critical to overall health, well-being, and
academic success.
   (b) Mental health challenges affect all age groups, races,
ethnicities, and socioeconomic classes.
   (c) Millions of Californians, including at least one in five
youths, live with mental health challenges. Millions more are
affected by the mental health challenges of someone else, such as a
close friend or family member.
   (d) Mental health education is one of the best ways to increase
awareness and the seeking of help and to reduce the stigma associated
with mental health challenges. The public education system is the
most efficient and effective setting for providing this education to
all children and youth. Therefore, it is the intent of the
Legislature to ensure that all California kindergarten and grades 1
to 12, inclusive,  students   pupils  have
the opportunity to benefit from a comprehensive mental health
education curriculum.
  SEC. 2.  Section 51900.5 is added to the Education Code, to read:
   51900.5.  (a)  During the next revision of the publication "Health
Framework for California Public  Schools," the state board
and   Schools" (health framework),  the
Instructional Quality Commission shall  create  
develop, and recommend for adoption by the state board,  a
distinct category on mental health instruction  so pupils are
knowledgeable   to educate pupils  about all
aspects of mental health.
   (b) As used in this section, "mental health instruction" shall
include, but not be limited to, all of the following:
   (1) Reasonably designed and age-appropriate instruction on the
overarching themes and core principles of mental  health,
including, but not limited to, defining   health. 
    (2)    Defining  common mental health
challenges such as depression, suicidal thoughts and behaviors,
schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, and anxiety,
including post-traumatic stress  disorder, and elucidating
  disorder. 
    (3)     Elucidating  the services and
supports that effectively help individuals manage  these
 mental health challenges. 
   (2) 
    (   4)  Promoting mental health wellness, which
includes positive development, social connectedness and supportive
relationships, resiliency,  which is the ability to bounce
back despite adversity,  problem solving skills, coping
skills, self-esteem, and a positive school and home environment in
which pupils feel comfortable. 
   (3) 
    (5)  Ability to identify warning signs of common mental
health problems in order to promote awareness and early intervention
so pupils know to take action before a situation turns into a crisis.
This should include instruction on both of the following:
   (A) How to appropriately seek and find assistance from mental
health professionals and services within the school district and in
the community for themselves or others.
   (B) Appropriate evidence-based research and practices that are
proven to help overcome mental health challenges. 
   (4) 
    (6)  The connection and importance of mental health to
overall health and academic success as well as to cooccurring
conditions, such as chronic physical conditions and chemical
dependence and substance abuse. 
   (5) 
    (7)  Awareness and appreciation about the prevalence of
mental health challenges across all populations, races, ethnicities,
and socioeconomic statuses, including the impact of culture on the
experience and treatment of mental health challenges. 
   (6) 
    (8)  Stigma surrounding mental health challenges and
what can be done to overcome stigma, increase awareness, and promote
acceptance. This should include, to the extent possible, classroom
presentations of narratives by peers and other individuals who have
experienced mental health challenges, and how they coped with their
situations, including how they sought help and acceptance.
   (c) The department shall convene stakeholders in the mental health
and educational fields, including, but not limited to, stakeholders
from culturally, racially, and ethnically diverse communities, 
representatives from  all mental health professions, teachers,
parents, those involved in promoting mental wellness, and those
living with a mental health challenge and their families, to provide
input for the development of the mental health instruction in the
 comprehensive health education plans   health
framework  . The department shall review information and
programs from other states and countries.
   (d) Commencing with the 2013-14 school year, a school district may
provide pupils in any grades mental health instruction as described
in this section.