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Bill > SB1130


VA SB1130

School-based mental health teletherapy services; policies and requirements.


summary

Introduced
01/07/2025
In Committee
01/07/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
02/22/2025

Introduced Session

2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

School boards; school-based mental health teletherapy services; increasing accessibility of mental health teletherapy services; policies and requirements. Directs the Department of Education (the Department) to include in the model memorandum of understanding between a school board and a nationally recognized school-based telehealth provider that it is required to develop and distribute to each school board pursuant to applicable law parameters for the provision of mental health teletherapy for students outside of regular school hours and during regular school hours on school property. The bill also requires each school board to, for the purpose of increasing the accessibility of mental health services for public school students, (i) permit any student enrolled in the school division to schedule and participate in mental health teletherapy services during regular school hours on the same basis as such students are permitted to participate in school counseling services; (ii) enter into a memorandum of understanding, consistent with the model memorandum of understanding developed by the Department, with a nationally recognized school-based telehealth provider that ensures and sets forth parameters for the provision of such mental health teletherapy services during regular school hours; (iii) develop and implement policies and procedures for permitting any student to participate in such mental health teletherapy services during regular school hours; and (iv) develop, post in a publicly accessible location on its website, and make available to all administrative and instructional personnel in the school division at the beginning of each school year informational materials relating to such mental health teletherapy policies.

AI Summary

This bill aims to increase mental health support for public school students by requiring school boards to facilitate access to mental health teletherapy (remote therapy services) during school hours. Specifically, the bill directs the Department of Education to develop a model memorandum of understanding with nationally recognized school-based telehealth providers that outlines parameters for mental health services. School boards must now permit students to schedule and participate in mental health teletherapy during regular school hours, similar to how they can access in-person counseling services. Each school board must develop policies that: (1) designate a private, internet-accessible location for teletherapy sessions, (2) implement measures to ensure student safety and privacy, (3) prohibit disciplinary action for students participating in teletherapy, and (4) include any additional necessary requirements. Furthermore, school boards must create and publicly share informational materials about these teletherapy policies with school personnel at the start of each school year, with the ultimate goal of making mental health services more accessible and convenient for students.

Committee Categories

Education, Health and Social Services

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Incorporated by Education and Health (SB1037-Pekarsky) (15-Y 0-N) (on 01/23/2025)

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