HB26: HB26 School Behavioral Mental Health Support Act; enact

25 LC 60 0037 House Bill 26 By: Representatives Scott of the 76th, Schofield of the 63rd, and Davis of the 87th A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Article 2 of Chapter 1 of Title 37 of the Official Cod e of Georgia Annotated,1 relating to the powers and duties of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental2 Disabilities regarding the governing and regulation of mental h ealth, so as to establish a3 school-linked behavioral health grant program; to provide a definition; to provide criteria for4 determining eligible applicants; to provide for allowable activities and related expenses; to5 provide for data collection and outcome measurement; to provide for related matters; to6 provide for a short title; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.7 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:8 SECTION 1.9 This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "School Behavioral Mental Health Support10 Act."11 SECTION 2.12 Article 2 of Chapter 1 of Title 37 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the13 powers and duties of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities14 H. B. 26 - 1 - 25 LC 60 0037 regarding the governing and regulation of mental health, is amended by adding a new Code15 section to read as follows:16 "37-1-30.17 (a) As used in this Code section, the term 'mental health or substance use disorder' means18 a mental illness or addictive disease.19 (b) Subject to available appropriations or other funding, the department shall establish a20 school-linked behavioral health grant program to provide early identification of and21 intervention for students with mental health or substance use disorder needs and to build22 the capacity of K-12 schools to support students with mental he alth or substance use23 disorder needs in the classroom.24 (c) An eligible applicant for a school-linked behavioral health grant is an entity or provider25 that is:26 (1) A community service board;27 (2) A community mental health center;28 (3) A licensed healthcare provide r who primarily provides trea tment or diagnosis of29 mental health or substance use disorders; and30 (4) A Medicaid provider that employs licensed healthcare provi ders who provide31 treatment or diagnosis of mental health or substance use disord ers to children and32 families.33 (d) Allowable grant activities and related expenses may includ e but shall not be limited34 to:35 (1) Identifying and diagnosing mental health or substance use disorders of students;36 (2) Delivering mental health or substance use disorder treatment and services to students37 and their families, including via telehealth;38 (3) Supporting families in meeting their children's needs, inc luding navigating39 healthcare, social services, and the juvenile justice system;40 H. B. 26 - 2 - 25 LC 60 0037 (4) Providing transportation for students receiving school-lin ked behavioral health41 services when school is not in session;42 (5) Building the capacity of schools to meet the needs of students with mental health or43 substance use disorder concerns, including school staff develop ment activities for44 licensed and nonlicensed staff; and45 (6) Equipment purchases, connection charges, on-site coordination, set-up fees, and site46 fees associated with delivering school-linked behavioral health services via telehealth.47 (e) Grantees shall obtain all available third-party reimbursement sources as a condition of48 receiving a school-linked behavioral health grant. For purposes of this grant program, a49 third-party reimbursement source excludes a local school system . Grantees shall serve50 students regardless of health coverage status or ability to pay.51 (f) Grantees shall collect and provide data to the department for the purpose of evaluating52 the effectiveness of the school-linked behavioral health grant program."53 SECTION 3.54 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.55 H. B. 26 - 3 -