Nelson introduces bills to address students' mental health
Rep. Napoleon Nelson March 20, 2024 | 1:55 PM
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NEWS RELEASE
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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State Rep. Napoleon Nelson
D-Montgomery County
www.pahouse.com/Nelson
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Nelson introduces bills to address students mental health
HARRISBURG, March 20 – State Rep. Napoleon Nelson today introduced a package of three bills to go along with a previous bill aimed at addressing the growing mental health crisis in school aged children.
The Creating Pathways for Information Sharing between Counties and School Districts Act, introduced as H.B. 2101, would direct the Department of Human Services to create pathways of communication between county agencies and school districts to share information relating to traumatic events.
The Establishing the Trauma-Informed Records Program Act, which was introduced as H.B. 2109, would establish trauma records as an eligible trauma-informed approach for school districts to receive funding under the School Safety and Security Grant Program.
The Establishing a School Mental Health Supports Policy in Our Districts Act, introduced as H.B. 2110, would require school entities to develop a comprehensive student mental health support plan.
According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the pandemic negatively affected the mental health of many children and youth, creating even more public awareness of this pre-existing problem. About one in three high school students reported experiencing poor mental health most of the time or always during the pandemic, and almost 20 percent of students had seriously considered attempting suicide.
“This legislation addresses the school systems and its capabilities and policies to address the growing student mental health crisis,” Nelson said. “These bills would give the schools tools to help their students.”
Nelson, D-Montgomery, previously introduced H.B. 1519, which would allow students to take three excused absences per school year for mental health reasons without requiring a doctor’s note.
House Bill 1519 was voted out of the House Education Committee on Jan. 18 and is now under consideration by the full House. The other bills have yet to be assigned a committee.
Nelson represents the 154th Legislative District comprised of Cheltenham, Jenkintown and Springfield townships in Montgomery County.
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CONTACT: Ryan Bevitz
House Democratic Communications Office
Phone: 717-787-7895
Email: rbevitz@pahouse.net
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