Bill > HB2355

This bill establishes a three-year pilot program for the West Virginia Department of Education to provide school-based mental and behavioral health services as an alternative to student suspensions for disruptive behaviors. The pilot program will be available to schools that have implemented either a school-based health center providing mental and behavioral health services or the expanded school mental health framework, a collaboration between the Department of Education and Bureau for Behavioral Health and Health Facilities. Participating schools must employ or contract with providers to offer mental and behavioral health assessments, treatment, and services not only for students, but also for their families and community members, with the ability to bill insurance, the school, or the Department of Health and Human Resources for the services rendered.