A 5754: Requires schools to include instruction on the prevention of co-occurring disorders as an integral part of their health education programs.

  
  STATE OF NEW YORK ________________________________________________________________________ 5754 2025-2026 Regular Sessions  IN ASSEMBLY February 20, 2025 ___________ Introduced by M. of A. K. BROWN -- read once and referred to the Commit- tee on Education AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to requiring schools to include prevention of co-occurring disorders as an integral part of their health education programs The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem- bly, do enact as follows: 1 Section 1. The section heading of section 804 of the education law, as 2 amended by chapter 390 of the laws of 2016, is amended and a new subdi- 3 vision 2-a is added to read as follows: 4 Health education regarding mental health, alcohol, drugs, tobacco 5 abuse, co-occurring disorders and the prevention and detection of 6 certain cancers. 7 2-a. (a) All schools shall include, as an integral part of health 8 education, instruction on the prevention of co-occurring disorders, such 9 as mental health issues and the misuse and abuse of alcohol, tobacco and 10 other drugs. 11 (b) Such instruction shall be designed according to the needs and 12 abilities of the pupils at successive grade levels with the purpose of 13 educating about the importance of maintaining mental health and well- 14 ness, fostering and developing healthy decision making through an under- 15 standing of pathways to substance misuse/addiction and preparing pupils 16 to live healthy lives. In developing such instruction, the commissioner 17 may consult with the advisory council on underage alcohol consumption 18 and youth substance abuse, established pursuant to section 19.06 of the 19 mental hygiene law, and the adolescent suicide prevention program, 20 established pursuant to section 41.49 of the mental hygiene law. 21 § 2. This act shall take effect on the first of July next succeeding 22 the date on which it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the 23 addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary 24 for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized 25 to be made and completed on or before such effective date. EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [ ] is old law to be omitted. LBD09583-01-5