Bill Text: FL S1334 | 2024 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Mental Health Education and Training
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Failed) 2024-03-08 - Died in Children, Families, and Elder Affairs [S1334 Detail]
Download: Florida-2024-S1334-Introduced.html
Florida Senate - 2024 SB 1334
By Senator Rouson
16-01521-24 20241334__
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to mental health education and
3 training; providing a short title; creating s.
4 394.4996, F.S.; requiring persons working in roles
5 involving direct interaction with youth to undergo
6 mental health education and training; providing
7 requirements for such education and training;
8 encouraging persons who work with youth to prioritize
9 their own mental health and well-being and their
10 employers to provide resources and support; requiring
11 the Department of Children and Families to establish
12 and maintain dedicated spaces within certain
13 institutions, centers, and venues that are easily
14 accessible to youth for the dissemination of
15 information and resources relating to mental health
16 and to promote such spaces; providing that the
17 department, in collaboration with relative agencies,
18 is responsible for implementation and enforcement of
19 the act; providing for penalties; providing for
20 funding; providing an effective date.
21
22 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
23
24 Section 1. This act may be cited as the “Butler Act.”
25 Section 2. Section 394.4996, Florida Statutes, is created
26 to read:
27 394.4996 Mental health education and training.—
28 (1) All persons working in roles involving direct
29 interaction with youth as defined in s. 381.84(1), including,
30 but not limited to, educators, counselors, mentors, and coaches,
31 shall undergo mental health education and training. The
32 education and training shall include:
33 (a) The recognition of signs and symptoms of mental health
34 issues in youth, appropriate methods for providing assistance
35 and support, and guidelines for referring youth to qualified
36 mental health professionals when necessary.
37 (b) Specialized training in effectively and respectfully
38 interacting with youth by emphasizing active listening to the
39 voices and perspectives of youth, respecting their rights and
40 dignity, and fostering a supportive and inclusive environment.
41 (2) Persons who work with youth are encouraged to
42 prioritize their own mental health and well-being and employers
43 of persons who work with youth should provide resources and
44 support for their mental health needs.
45 (3) The department shall establish and maintain dedicated
46 spaces within educational institutions, community centers, and
47 other youth-centric venues for the dissemination of information
48 and resources related to mental health. The spaces shall be
49 easily accessible to youth and shall be promoted to ensure that
50 youth are aware of the available mental health resources.
51 (4) The department, in collaboration with relevant
52 agencies, shall be responsible for the implementation and
53 enforcement of this act. A violation of this section may result
54 in penalties, training requirements, or other appropriate
55 measures as determined by department rule.
56 (5) Funding for the implementation of this section shall be
57 allocated from state funds and supplemented by federal grants
58 and private-sector partnerships, as necessary.
59 Section 3. This act shall take effect July 1, 2024.
