Consolidated Laws Education Title 1: General Provisions Article 17: Instruction In Certain Subjects Section 804 Health education regarding alcohol, drugs, tobacco abuse and the prevention and detection of certain cancers.
Effective 7/1/2018, Education Law §804 was amended by Chapter 390 of the Laws of 2016 and Chapter 1 of the Laws of 2017 to clarify that required health education in schools must include instruction in mental health. The statutory amendments further provide that such P-12 instruction shall be designed to enhance student understanding, attitudes and behaviors that promote health, well-being and human dignity.
§ 804. Health education regarding mental health, alcohol, drugs, tobacco abuse and the prevention and detection of certain cancers. 1. All schools shall ensure that their health education programs recognize the multiple dimensions of health by including mental health and the relation of physical and mental health so as to enhance student understanding, attitudes and behaviors that promote health, well-being and human dignity.
