CS/HB 899 — Mental Health of Students
by Education and Employment Committee and Rep. Hunschofsky and others (SB 1240 by Senator Harrell)
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Committee (CF)
The bill specifies that charter schools must comply with involuntary examination data reporting requirements established by the Legislature in 2021 for traditional public schools and requires the Department of Education to share school-related involuntary examination data with the Department of Children and Families (the DCF) annually by July 1 each year. The bill also requires that the DCF use this data in its biennial analysis of involuntary examinations of minors in Florida.
The bill revises requirements for a school district’s annual mental health assistance allocation plan to include policies and procedures that require the provision of information on additional behavioral health services and resources for students currently receiving services and their families. Additionally, the plan’s policies and procedures must require school districts to provide any individual living in the same household as a student currently receiving services with information about available behavioral health services, when receipt of such services could benefit the well-being of the student.
The bill requires each district school superintendent to designate a mental health coordinator for their district. The mental health coordinator is required to serve as the district’s primary point of contact for the district’s coordination, communication, and implementation of student mental health policies, procedures, responsibilities, and reporting.
If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect July 1, 2022.
Vote: Senate 38-0; House 114-0