This new rule establishes minimum hours of required instruction related to mental and emotional health education for grades 6-12 students and establishes procedures for school districts to document the instruction.

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

State Board of Education

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

6A-1.094121Mental and Emotional Health Education

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: This new rule establishes minimum hours of required instruction related to mental and emotional health education for grades 6-12 students and establishes procedures for school districts to document the instruction.

SUMMARY: To reinforce the current mental and emotional health education requirement, school districts must annually provide a minimum of five hours of instruction to students in grades 6-12 related to youth mental health awareness and assistance.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:

The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the Agency.

The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: This proposed rule is not expected to have any adverse impact on economic growth, business competitiveness or any other factors listed in s. 120.541(2)(a), F.S., and is not expected to require legislative ratification, as the instruction in mental and emotional health is already required by statute. The required topics included in the rule align with the health education standards already in place. It is anticipated that this required instruction will be part of existing courses. The state is developing an online professional development module that will be offered to school districts at no charge.

Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 1001.02(2)(n), 1003.42(2), F.S.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1003.42, F.S.

A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:

DATE AND TIME: July 17, 2019, start time TBD and posted at http://www.fldoe.org/policy/state-board-of-edu/meetings/ by July 3, 2019.

PLACE: Polk State College, Lakeland Campus, Technology Building, 3425 Winter Lake Road, Lakeland, Florida 33803.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Penny Taylor, Director, Healthy Schools, Bureau of Standards and Instructional Support, [e-mail] or [phone].

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

6A-1.094121 Mental and Emotional Health Education

(1) School districts must annually provide a minimum of five (5) hours of instruction to students in grades 6-12 related to youth mental health awareness and assistance, including suicide prevention and the impacts of substance abuse.

(2) Using the health education standards adopted in Rule 6A-1.09401, F.A.C., Student Performance Standards, the instruction for youth mental and emotional health will advance each year through developmentally appropriate instruction and skill building and must address, at a minimum, the following topics:

(a) Recognition of signs and symptoms of mental health disorders;

(b) Prevention of mental health disorders;

(c) Mental health awareness and assistance;

(d) How to reduce the stigma around mental health disorders;

(e) Awareness of resources, including local school and community resources;

(f) The process for accessing treatment;

(g) Strategies to develop healthy coping techniques;

(h) Strategies to support a peer, friend, or family member with a mental health disorder;

(i) Prevention of suicide; and

(j) Prevention of the abuse of and addiction to alcohol, nicotine, and drugs.

(3) By December 1 of each year, each school district must submit an implementation plan to the commissioner at [e-mail] and post the plan on the school district website. The implementation plan must include:

(a) The specific courses in which instruction will be delivered for each grade level;

(b) The professional qualifications of the person delivering instruction; and

(c) A description of the materials and resources utilized to deliver instruction.

(4) By July 1 of each year, each school district must submit an annual report to the commissioner at [e-mail]. The report must verify completion of the instruction and include:

(a) The specific courses in which instruction will be delivered for each grade level;

(b) The professional qualifications of the person delivering instruction; and

(c) A description of the materials and resources utilized to deliver instruction.

(5) Failure to comply with the requirements of this rule may result in the imposition of sanctions described in Section 1008.32, F.S.

Rulemaking Authority 1001.02(2)(n), 1003.42, F.S. Law Implemented 1003.42 FS. History-New____.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Jacob Oliva, Chancellor, Division of Public Schools

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Richard Corcoran, Commissioner, Department of Education

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: June 18, 2019

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: June 3, 2019