By Mr. Patrick of Falmouth, petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 511) of Matthew C. Patrick and others for legislation to establish social and emotional development policies in school districts.  Education.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PETITION OF:

Matthew C. Patrick

John P. Fresolo

Kay Khan

Barbara A. L'Italien

Douglas W. Petersen

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In the Year Two Thousand and Seven.

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An Act Relative to the Mental Health of Public School Students.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1. The board of education shall develop and implement a plan to incorporate social and emotional development standards as part of the learning standards for the purpose of enhancing and measuring children’s school readiness and ability to achieve academic success.  The plan shall be submitted to the governor and the general court on or before December 1, 2008.

SECTION  2.  Each school district of the commonwealth shall develop a policy for incorporating social and emotional development into the district’s educational program.  The policy shall address teaching and assessing social and emotional skills and protocols for responding to children with social, emotional, or mental health problems, or a combination of such problems, that impact learning ability.  Each district shall submit its policy to the board of education on or before August 31, 2008.