Amendment ID: S2368-4-R1

Redraft Amendment 4

Mental health education in Massachusetts high schools

Mr. Tran moves that the proposed new text be amended by inserting after section _ the following new section: -

“SECTION _. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary there shall be a special commission to study and make recommendations regarding the inclusion of a mental health component within the comprehensive health education curriculum in the public high schools of the commonwealth.

The commission shall consist of: 1 member of the senate to be appointed by the senate president, who shall serve as co-chair; 1 member of the house of representatives to be appointed by the speaker, who shall serve as co-chair; 1 member of the senate to be appointed by the minority leader of the senate; 1 member of the house of representatives to be appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives; the commissioner of the department of public health or a designee; the commissioner of the department of mental health or a designee; the commissioner of the department of elementary and secondary education or a designee; and 1 member of the safe & supportive schools commission or a designee; and 2 members to be appointed by the governor; 1 member of the Massachusetts teachers association board of directors; and 1 member of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents.

The commission shall study and report on the inclusion of a mental health component within the comprehensive health education curriculum in the public high schools of the commonwealth, examining best practices for implementing such recommendations, and appropriate topics to address in such a curriculum, including but not limited to: mental health, mental illness, teenage brain development, stress management, physical health, violence prevention, ecological and community health, and overcoming mental illness stigma.

Not later than one year from the effective date of this act, the commission shall report its findings and recommendations, including any recommendations for proposed legislation, to the clerks of the senate and the house of representatives, the senate and house committees on ways and means, the joint committee on education, the joint committee on mental health substance use and recovery, and the joint committee on public health.