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NJ S974

Bill

Status

Introduced

1/9/2024

Primary Sponsor

Kristin Corrado

Click for details

Origin

Senate

2024-2025 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • School districts that are members of the NJSIAA must appoint a student-athlete mental health specialist who is a state-licensed or certified mental health professional with Mental Health First Aid certification

  • Public institutions of higher education with athletic departments must appoint two student-athlete mental health specialists with on-campus offices who are easily accessible during the academic year

  • Student-athlete mental health specialists must meet with each athlete three times per season for mental health screenings, develop mental health policies, and meet weekly with injured athletes until cleared to return

  • The Department of Education and Secretary of Higher Education must establish certification programs requiring specialists to complete training every two years and maintain central registries of aggregated screening data to track mental health trends

  • Parents/guardians of K-12 athletes and college athletes (or their parents if minors) may submit written waivers of the screening requirement, but athletes who neither consent nor waive are prohibited from participating in athletic programs

Legislative Description

Establishes student-athlete mental health specialists in school districts and public institutions of higher education; creates student-athlete mental health registry; makes appropriation.

Education

Last Action

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Education Committee

1/9/2024

Committee Referrals

Education1/9/2024

Full Bill Text

No bill text available