S 3969 New York Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Relates to mandatory continuing education for teachers relating to mental health issues

This bill requires New York teachers to complete mandatory continuing education focused on mental health. Specifically, it mandates that during each five-year teacher registration period, educators must complete at least two sessions (out of a total 100 required hours) covering mental health topics like identifying early signs of mental illness, behavioral health disorders, eating disorders, crisis de-escalation, and evidence-based programs such as Mental Health First Aid. The training must be developed by the education and health departments and integrated into existing teacher certification requirements. It directly affects all K-12 teachers seeking or renewing their teaching licenses in New York State.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 31, 2025 Last action Jan 7, 2026
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Total actions
2
Key actions
0
Committee
2
Jan 7, 2026
Committee
REFERRED TO MENTAL HEALTH
upper
Jan 31, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO MENTAL HEALTH
upper
1 primary · 4 co-sponsors

Sponsors