New York S 1008: Relates to improving student mental health and mental health literacy in institutions of higher education in the state, and requiring the amendment or adoption of related protocols, policies and programs

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S01008 Summary:

BILL NOS01008 

&nbsp

SAME ASSAME AS A10755

&nbsp

SPONSORBROUK

&nbsp

COSPNSRASHBY, PALUMBO

&nbsp

MLTSPNSR

&nbsp

Add §§362, 6235 & 237-a, Ed L

&nbsp

Relates to improving student mental health and mental health literacy in institutions of higher education in the state; requires the amendment or adoption of related protocols, policies and programs in SUNY, CUNY and independent institutions of higher education.

Go to top S01008 Actions:

BILL NOS01008 

&nbsp

01/08/2025REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION

01/07/2026REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION

Go to topS01008 Committee&nbspVotes:

Go to topS01008 Floor&nbspVotes:

There are no Assembly votes for this bill in this legislative session.

Go to topS01008 Text:

 STATE OF NEW YORK
 ________________________________________________________________________

 1008

 2025-2026 Regular Sessions

 IN SENATE

 (Prefiled)

 January 8, 2025
 ___________

 Introduced by Sens. BROUK, PALUMBO -- read twice and ordered printed,
 and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Higher Education

 AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to improving student
 mental health and mental health literacy in institutions of higher
 education in the state, and requiring the amendment or adoption of
 related protocols and policies of SUNY, CUNY and independent insti-
 tutions of higher education

 The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-
 bly, do enact as follows:

 1 Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 362 to
 2 read as follows:
 3 § 362. Student mental health. 1. The state university shall take the
 4 following actions regarding student mental health needs:
 5 (a) (i) review, amend and publish various protocols and policies
 6 intended to improve the mental health of students, to improve mental
 7 health literacy among students and staff, and to establish parity
 8 between physical and mental health, including reasonable accommodations,
 9 whenever possible and appropriate;
 10 (ii) review, amend and publish enrollment, re-enrollment, medical
 11 leave of absence, voluntary and involuntary leave and termination poli-
 12 cies of the state university and create specific provisions for students
 13 experiencing mental health issues or crises, that are intended to
 14 improve responses to the mental health needs and crises of students,
 15 improve suicide prevention and intervention, provide flexible voluntary
 16 leave opportunities, provide individualized student assessments with
 17 consideration of reasonable requests by students and appropriate defer-
 18 ence to their treating providers, and provide reasonable accommodations
 19 to avoid extended involuntary leave or termination, whenever possible
 20 and appropriate;

 EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
 [ ] is old law to be omitted.
 LBD02172-01-5

 S. 1008 2

 1 (b) include a mental health section in orientation programs for newly
 2 enrolled students intended to enhance mental health literacy among
 3 students, to increase knowledge about mental health and help-seeking
 4 behaviors, and to reduce stigma;
 5 (c) all full-time faculty, administrators, athletic coaches, student-
 6 facing and support staff, including adjunct professors of the universi-
 7 ty, shall be required to receive mental health training on mental health
 8 literacy, relevant disability law, reduction of stigma training, best
 9 practices regarding reasonable accommodations for students with mental
 10 health needs, and recognizing signs of mental distress among students
 11 and recommended follow-up safety actions. All such training shall be
 12 provided in a culturally competent manner. Staff shall receive initial
 13 training within one year of the effective date of this section, or with-
 14 in one year after the date upon which they commence employment at the
 15 university, with refresher training required within each three-year
 16 period thereafter. The chancellor of the state university, in conjunc-
 17 tion with the commissioner, shall prescribe the form and manner in which
 18 such training shall be provided; and
 19 (d) institute other programs intended to address and improve student
 20 mental health.
 21 2. The state university and the department shall research, review, and