Bill
A 5391
Starting 2027-2028, all teaching candidates must complete youth mental health training as part of cert preparation.
A-5391, introduced March 6, 2025, would add a youth mental health education requirement to teacher certification in New Jersey. The bill is currently listed as REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION, with sponsor Charles Fall (primary). The introduced version treats the measure as an act supplementing Title 18A (Education) and sets specific milestones for educator preparation programs and the Department of Education (DOE).
Definition: Establishes “certificate of eligibility” as a lifetime validity credential issued by the State Board of Examiners for candidates meeting degree, academic, and testing standards for teacher certification.
Mandatory Youth Mental Health Training (beginning 2027-2028): Starting with the 2027-2028 school year, all candidates for teaching certification who have completed an educator preparation program that is Commissioner of Education-approved must have satisfactorily completed a course or training on youth mental health education.
Program Revisions: All commissioner-approved educator preparation programs must review and update their curricula to incorporate the youth mental health training requirements and submit the revisions to the Department of Education for approval.
DOE Online Module: The DOE must develop an online module on youth mental health education, including practical components such as case studies and simulations. The module must cover:
Out-of-State Certification Holders: The State Board of Education would require candidates with a valid out-of-state teaching certificate or a certificate of eligibility to complete the DOE-developed online module within one year of the act’s effective date.
Exemptions: If a candidate completed a comparable mental health education course/training within five years before the act’s effective date, they may request an exemption using a form/method determined by the commissioner.
Effective Date: The act takes effect in the first full academic year following enactment, with the Commissioner of Education allowed to take anticipatory actions to implement provisions beforehand.
Specific Milestones:
This bill aims to integrate youth mental health education into teacher preparation, ensuring new teachers are equipped to recognize and address mental health issues and to foster safe, inclusive classroom environments.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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