VA SB 818

Title: Public elementary and secondary schools; programs of instruction on mental health education.
Author: Lionell Spruill Sr.

Summary
Public elementary and secondary schools; programs of instruction; mental health education; curriculum guidelines; instruction required. Requires each public elementary, middle, and high school to provide at each grade level, in addition to health instruction, an additional age-appropriate course of instruction on mental health. The bill directs the Board of Education to develop mental health curriculum guidelines for an age-appropriate, sequential mental health curriculum for each grade level and requires such curriculum guidelines to include instruction on (i) understanding general themes of mental health and wellness, (ii) recognizing symptoms of common mental health challenges, (iii) promoting mental health wellness, (iv) seeking assistance for mental health concerns and challenges, (v) promoting awareness of the prevalence of mental health challenges and the importance of overcoming common mental health stigmas, (vi) understanding the importance of mental health to a student's physical, academic, and overall well-being, and (vii) understanding age-appropriate instruction at such grade levels as the Board deems appropriate on the connection between mental health and substance use disorders. The bill permits the Board to consult with the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services and other mental health experts in developing such curriculum guidelines and requires the Board to submit such guidelines to the State Board of Health for approval. The bill requires the Board to review and update by the beginning of the 2024?2025 school year the health Standards of Learning for each grade level to include such instruction on the mental health curriculum guidelines.

Status
Senate: Committee substitute printed 23105605D-S1

Bill Documents
VA SB 818 - Committee substitute printed 23105605D-S1
2022-12-20 - VA SB 818 (Committee substitute printed 23105605D-S1)

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VA SB 818 - Substitute for Committee: S-Education and Health, Subcommittee: Public Education, Recommended on 1/26/2023
2022-12-20 - VA SB 818 (Substitute for Committee: S-Education and Health, Subcommittee: Public Education, Recommended on 1/26/2023)

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VA SB 818 - Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/11/23 23102397D
2022-12-20 - VA SB 818 (Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/11/23 23102397D)

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VA SB 818 - Senate committee, floor amendments and substitutes offered
2022-12-20 - VA SB 818 (Senate committee, floor amendments and substitutes offered)

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