Senator Daniel W. Thatcher proposes the following substitute bill:


1     
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CURRICULUM PROGRAM

2     
2022 GENERAL SESSION

3     
STATE OF UTAH

4     
Chief Sponsor: Daniel W. Thatcher

5     
House Sponsor: Steve Eliason

6     

7     LONG TITLE
8     General Description:
9          This bill requires the Huntsman Mental Health Institute, within the University of Utah,
10     to develop a youth behavioral health curriculum.
11     Highlighted Provisions:
12          This bill:
13          ▸     defines terms; and
14          ▸     requires the Huntsman Mental Health Institute, within the University of Utah, to:
15               •     coordinate with the State Board of Education to develop a youth curriculum on
16     behavioral health;
17               •     publish the curriculum online; and
18               •     annually update the curriculum and distribute the curriculum to certain
19     individuals and organizations in the state.
20     Money Appropriated in this Bill:
21          None
22     Other Special Clauses:
23          None
24     Utah Code Sections Affected:
25     ENACTS:

26          53B-17-1301, Utah Code Annotated 1953
27          53B-17-1302, Utah Code Annotated 1953
28     

29     Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
30          Section 1. Section 53B-17-1301 is enacted to read:
31     
Part 13. Behavioral Health Services

32          53B-17-1301. Definitions.
33          As used in this part, "Huntsman Mental Health Institute" means the mental health and
34     substance use treatment institute within the University of Utah.
35          Section 2. Section 53B-17-1302 is enacted to read:
36          53B-17-1302. Huntsman Mental Health Institute -- Behavioral health curriculum.
37          (1) The Huntsman Mental Health Institute shall coordinate with the State Board of
38     Education to develop a youth curriculum to increase awareness about behavioral health
39     challenges facing youth in the state.
40          (2) The curriculum described in Subsection (1) shall include age-appropriate
41     information on:
42          (a) the connection and importance of mental health to overall health;
43          (b) tools for maintaining mental health wellness, including evidence-based practices
44     used to overcome behavioral health challenges;
45          (c) signs and symptoms of common behavioral health challenges and ways to respond
46     to the signs and symptoms;
47          (d) the prevalence of behavioral health challenges across all populations;
48          (e) common behavioral health conditions and evidence-based treatments for common
49     behavioral health conditions; and
50          (f) how to seek assistance or find support for a behavioral health challenge in a school
51     and the community.
52          (3) The Huntsman Mental Health Institute shall annually:
53          (a) update the curriculum in coordination with the State Board of Education;
54          (b) publish the curriculum on the Huntsman Mental Health Institute's website in a
55     conspicuous location; and
56          (c) distribute the curriculum as a resource to:

57          (i) parents and guardians of elementary and secondary school students;
58          (ii) elementary and secondary schools; and
59          (iii) other organizations that serve youth in the state.
60          (4) The Huntsman Mental Health Institute shall consider feedback provided to the
61     Huntsman Mental Health Institute about the curriculum when annually updating the curriculum
62     under Subsection (3)(a).