Posted: | April 15, 2019 08:56 AM |
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From: | Senator Daylin Leach |
To: | All Senate members |
Subject: | Including Mental Health, Physical Disabilities, and Developmental Disabilities Education in Health Classes |
Soon I will introduce legislation requiring the Department of Education to develop and implement a curriculum educating students about mental health and physical and developmental disabilities. This legislation will be identical to House Bill 590 introduced in the House of Representatives. Historically, students have been taught in health class about the importance of physical health, but there has been a lack of information on mental health and disabilities. This knowledge gap has contributed to the social stigma against mental health and individuals with disabilities. Due to this ignorance, children with disabilities face discrimination throughout school and society. This legislation seeks to close this knowledge gap by creating a model curriculum that emphasizes inclusiveness and combats the stigma surrounding mental health and disabilities. Through this new curriculum, Pennsylvania will be able to provide a positive atmosphere for all children and create a more inclusive Commonwealth. Please join me in supporting this important legislation. If you have questions about this legislation, please don’t hesitate to contact me. |
Introduced as SB571