NY A03887

Adds mental health as a required component of health education programs, emphasizing the relationship between physical and mental health to enhance student understanding and promote well-being.

Requires instruction on alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (including heroin and opioids) as an integral part of health education from elementary through senior high school, taught by certified health education teachers.

Mandates that senior high school students receive instruction on the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs as part of required health education courses.

Directs the Commissioner to make recommendations every three years (beginning December 1, 2014) to modernize health education curricula with current information on substance abuse and drugs prevalent among school-aged youth.

Requires the Board of Regents to review and streamline existing health curriculum to eliminate outdated components and provide greater focus on violence prevention and mental health skills, including emergency response procedures, by middle school.