Florida Senate - 2024                                    SB 1334
       
       
        
       By Senator Rouson
       
       
       
       
       
       16-01521-24                                           20241334__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to mental health education and
    3         training; providing a short title; creating s.
    4         394.4996, F.S.; requiring persons working in roles
    5         involving direct interaction with youth to undergo
    6         mental health education and training; providing
    7         requirements for such education and training;
    8         encouraging persons who work with youth to prioritize
    9         their own mental health and well-being and their
   10         employers to provide resources and support; requiring
   11         the Department of Children and Families to establish
   12         and maintain dedicated spaces within certain
   13         institutions, centers, and venues that are easily
   14         accessible to youth for the dissemination of
   15         information and resources relating to mental health
   16         and to promote such spaces; providing that the
   17         department, in collaboration with relative agencies,
   18         is responsible for implementation and enforcement of
   19         the act; providing for penalties; providing for
   20         funding; providing an effective date.
   21          
   22  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   23  
   24         Section 1. This act may be cited as the “Butler Act.”
   25         Section 2. Section 394.4996, Florida Statutes, is created
   26  to read:
   27         394.4996 Mental health education and training.—
   28         (1) All persons working in roles involving direct
   29  interaction with youth as defined in s. 381.84(1), including,
   30  but not limited to, educators, counselors, mentors, and coaches,
   31  shall undergo mental health education and training. The
   32  education and training shall include:
   33         (a) The recognition of signs and symptoms of mental health
   34  issues in youth, appropriate methods for providing assistance
   35  and support, and guidelines for referring youth to qualified
   36  mental health professionals when necessary.
   37         (b) Specialized training in effectively and respectfully
   38  interacting with youth by emphasizing active listening to the
   39  voices and perspectives of youth, respecting their rights and
   40  dignity, and fostering a supportive and inclusive environment.
   41         (2) Persons who work with youth are encouraged to
   42  prioritize their own mental health and well-being and employers
   43  of persons who work with youth should provide resources and
   44  support for their mental health needs.
   45         (3) The department shall establish and maintain dedicated
   46  spaces within educational institutions, community centers, and
   47  other youth-centric venues for the dissemination of information
   48  and resources related to mental health. The spaces shall be
   49  easily accessible to youth and shall be promoted to ensure that
   50  youth are aware of the available mental health resources.
   51         (4) The department, in collaboration with relevant
   52  agencies, shall be responsible for the implementation and
   53  enforcement of this act. A violation of this section may result
   54  in penalties, training requirements, or other appropriate
   55  measures as determined by department rule.
   56         (5) Funding for the implementation of this section shall be
   57  allocated from state funds and supplemented by federal grants
   58  and private-sector partnerships, as necessary.
   59         Section 3. This act shall take effect July 1, 2024.