PRINTER'S NO. 1085
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
965
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY BRIGGS, HILL-EVANS, CALTAGIRONE, SCHLOSSBERG,
COMITTA, FREEMAN, SOLOMON, KINSEY, KIRKLAND, NEILSON, MURT,
ISAACSON AND FIEDLER, MARCH 25, 2019
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, MARCH 25, 2019
AN ACT
Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
act relating to the public school system, including certain
provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
laws relating thereto," in terms and courses of study,
providing for mental health education.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding a
section to read:
Section 1512.2. Mental Health Education.--Each school under
the jurisdiction of the Department of Education shall
incorporate mental health education into public education
curricula to ensure that the school's health education programs
recognize the multiple dimensions of health by including mental
health in the relation of physical health to enhance student
understanding, establish parity between physical and mental
health and eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health. The
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board of school directors of each school district shall
establish a mental health education curriculum to be integrated
within each primary and secondary school's existing health and
wellness curriculum. In establishing the curriculum, a school
district may consult a mental health organization to establish
age-appropriate material to be taught in mental health
education.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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