| 47 | | - | SECTION 1. The legislature finds that it is well-established that adolescence is a significant time during human development. As children become teenagers, their attention shifts from the approval of their parents to that of their peers, thereby becoming more susceptible to peer-pressure, bullying, and increased deviant behaviors. In addition, with the increased access of social media, youth can be inundated with content that is difficult to process. Youth trying to negotiate their way through this turbulent time may find it difficult to communicate their struggles with their parents. This can leave the youth feeling isolated and unable to cope with their psychosocial stressors. In these dangerous situations, it may fall onto other positive adult figures in their lives to step up and check-in with these youths. These adult figures are often teachers, counselors, or coaches at the school the youth attends. Therefore, it is vital that learning institutions develop and execute check-ins with their students to do "temperature checks" and offer support and resources if the student mentions their mental struggles. The purpose of this Act is to require that all schools develop plans to execute mental health check-ins with their students grades six through twelve. SECTION 2. Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part II, subpart C, to be appropriately designated and to read as follows: "§302A- Mental health plans. (a) The department shall establish and implement student mental health plans for students within grades six through twelve. (b) The mental health plans shall: (1) Provide for check-ins at least once per semester to be documented on the student's permanent file; (2) Be student focused to assess the student's mental, emotional, and physical health; and (3) Have procedures for responding to issues, including providing necessary resources to the student and their parents or legal guardian. (c) Any person, school, or private contractor of a school who acts or fails to act in accordance with the requirements of this section shall be immune from any civil or criminal liability arising from these acts or omissions, except where the person's, school's, or contractor's conduct would constitute gross negligence, willful and wanton misconduct, or intentional misconduct." SECTION 3. Chapter 302C, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows: "§302C- Mental health plans. (a) Each private school shall establish and implement student mental health plans for students within grades six through twelve. (b) The mental health plans shall: (1) Provide for check-ins at least once per semester to be documented on the student's permanent file; (2) Be student focused to assess the student's mental, emotional, and physical health; and (3) Have procedures for responding to issues, including providing necessary resources to the student and their parents or legal guardian. (c) Any person, school, or private contractor of a school who acts or fails to act in accordance with the requirements of this section shall be immune from any civil or criminal liability arising from these acts or omissions, except where the person's, school's, or contractor's conduct would constitute gross negligence, willful and wanton misconduct, or intentional misconduct." SECTION 4. Chapter 302D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows: "§302D- Mental health plans. (a) Each public charter school shall establish and implement student mental health plans for students within grades six through twelve. (b) The mental health plans shall: (1) Provide for check-ins at least once per semester to be documented on the student's permanent file; (2) Be student focused to assess the student's mental, emotional, and physical health; and (3) Have procedures for responding to issues, including providing necessary resources to the student and their parents or legal guardian. (c) Any person, school, or private contractor of a school who acts or fails to act in accordance with the requirements of this section shall be immune from any civil or criminal liability arising from these acts or omissions, except where the person's, school's, or contractor's conduct would constitute gross negligence, willful and wanton misconduct, or intentional misconduct." SECTION 5. New statutory material is underscored. SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000. |
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| 47 | + | SECTION 1. The legislature finds that it is well-established that adolescence is a significant time during human development. As children become teenagers, their attention shifts from the approval of their parents to that of their peers, thereby becoming more susceptible to peer-pressure, bullying, and increased deviant behaviors. In addition, with the increased access of social media, youth can be inundated with content that is difficult to process. Youth trying to negotiate their way through this turbulent time may find it difficult to communicate their struggles with their parents. This can leave the youth feeling isolated and unable to cope with their psychosocial stressors. In these dangerous situations, it may fall onto other positive adult figures in their lives to step up and check-in with these youths. These adult figures are often teachers, counselors, or coaches at the school the youth attends. Therefore, it is vital that learning institutions develop and execute check-ins with their students to do "temperature checks" and offer support and resources if the student mentions their mental struggles. The purpose of this Act is to require that all schools develop plans to execute mental health check-ins with their students grades six through twelve. SECTION 2. Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part II, subpart C, to be appropriately designated and to read as follows: "§302A- Mental health plans. (a) The department shall establish and implement student mental health plans for students within grades six through twelve. (b) The mental health plans shall: (1) Provide for check-ins at least once per semester to be documented on the student's permanent file; (2) Be student focused to assess the student's mental, emotional, and physical health; and (3) Have procedures for responding to issues, including providing necessary resources to the student and their parents or legal guardian." SECTION 3. Chapter 302C, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows: "§302C- Mental health plans. (a) Each private school shall establish and implement student mental health plans for students within grades six through twelve. (b) The mental health plans shall: (1) Provide for check-ins at least once per semester to be documented on the student's permanent file; (2) Be student focused to assess the student's mental, emotional, and physical health; and (3) Have procedures for responding to issues, including providing necessary resources to the student and their parents or legal guardian." SECTION 4. Chapter 302D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows: "§302D- Mental health plans. (a) Each public charter school shall establish and implement student mental health plans for students within grades six through twelve. (b) The mental health plans shall: (1) Provide for check-ins at least once per semester to be documented on the student's permanent file; (2) Be student focused to assess the student's mental, emotional, and physical health; and (3) Have procedures for responding to issues, including providing necessary resources to the student and their parents or legal guardian." SECTION 5. New statutory material is underscored. SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval. INTRODUCED BY: _____________________________ |
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