Bill
Bill > HB1945
VA HB1945
School boards; school-based telehealth and mental health teletherapy services, accessibility.
summary
Introduced
01/06/2025
01/06/2025
In Committee
02/13/2025
02/13/2025
Crossed Over
02/19/2025
02/19/2025
Passed
03/07/2025
03/07/2025
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
03/24/2025
03/24/2025
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
School boards; student access to telehealth services; policies. Directs each school board to consider, for the purpose of increasing access to health care services for students, developing and implementing policies for permitting any public school student in the school division to schedule and participate in telehealth services, including mental health teletherapy services pursuant to a memorandum of understanding with a nationally recognized school-based telehealth provider developed in accordance with applicable law, on school property during regular school hours with parental consent. The bill requires any such policies developed and implemented by a school board to (i) require each public elementary and secondary school to designate a location in the school for student use for such telehealth appointments and implement measures to ensure the safety and privacy of any student participating in a telehealth appointment, (ii) prohibit any student from being subject to any disciplinary measure or consequence for participating in a telehealth appointment during regular school hours if such student would not be subject to any disciplinary measure or consequence for an absence for the purpose of receiving any health care services in person during regular school hours, and (iii) include such other requirements as the school board deems necessary and appropriate. Finally, the bill requires any school board that develops and implements any policies for permitting students to schedule and participate in telehealth services pursuant to the bill to provide and post in a publicly accessible location on its website at the beginning of each school year guidance relating to the implementation of such policies for administrative and instructional personnel. This bill is identical to SB 1037.
AI Summary
This bill addresses expanding telehealth and mental health teletherapy services for public school students in Virginia. Specifically, it directs school boards to consider developing policies that would allow students to schedule and participate in telehealth services on school property during regular school hours, with parental consent. The bill requires that if such policies are implemented, schools must designate a private, safe location with internet access for these appointments and ensure students cannot be disciplined for attending a telehealth appointment in the same manner they would not be penalized for an in-person medical appointment. The legislation mandates that school boards entering into these programs must establish a memorandum of understanding with a nationally recognized school-based telehealth provider, following a model developed by the state Department of Education in consultation with behavioral health and medical assistance services. Additionally, schools implementing these policies must provide public guidance on their website at the start of each school year, explaining how the telehealth services will be administered. The overall goal is to increase student access to healthcare services, particularly mental health support, by making telehealth appointments more convenient and accessible during the school day.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance, Education, Health and Social Services
Sponsors (13)
Atoosa Reaser (D)*,
Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D),
Nadarius Clark (D),
Josh Cole (D),
Rae Cousins (D),
J.R. Henson (D),
Karen Keys-Gamarra (D),
Destiny LeVere Bolling (D),
Alfonso Lopez (D),
Fernando Martinez (D),
Marcia Price (D),
Irene Shin (D),
Rodney Willett (D),
Last Action
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0555) (on 03/24/2025)
Official Document
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