BILL NUMBER: SB 330	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  APRIL 1, 2013

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Padilla

                        FEBRUARY 19, 2013

   An act to  amend   add  Section 
51911 of   51900.5 to  the Education Code,
relating to pupil instruction.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 330, as amended, Padilla. Comprehensive health education plans:
 approval.   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. 
   This bill would make a nonsubstantive change to the provision
relating to approval of district plans.  
   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 a
distinct category on mental health instruction, as described, so that
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. 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:  no
  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 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 the
Instructional Quality Commission shall create a distinct category on
mental health instruction so pupils are knowledgeable 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 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 the services and supports that
effectively help individuals manage these mental health challenges.
   (2) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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, 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. 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.  
  SECTION 1.    Section 51911 of the Education Code
is amended to read:
   51911.  Approval of district plans shall be made in accordance
with rules and regulations adopted by the state board.