Bill > HB2420

This bill requires school districts in Kansas to obtain written consent from a student's parent or legal guardian before providing any school-based mental health service, which includes interventions designed to influence a student's emotional, behavioral, or social functioning, such as counseling. This consent must follow direct verbal and written notification to the parent about the service's purpose, timeline, and plan. However, there's an exception allowing school personnel to conduct suicide risk assessments or screenings if they receive a credible report that a student may be at risk of suicide, without prior parental consent. The bill also defines key terms like "agent" (anyone not regularly employed by the district but working with students, like contractors or volunteers) and "employee" (regularly employed school staff). Importantly, universal interventions provided to multiple students, or one-time emergency interventions, are not considered school-based mental health services under this bill and therefore do not require parental consent.

Education

https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2420/