Bill > HB997

This bill requires local school boards in Mississippi to provide mental health first aid training to all licensed and non-licensed instructional personnel and licensed administrators before the start of the 2025-2026 academic year. The training must be evidence-based and approved by the Department of Mental Health. Each school board will be responsible for developing a policy that determines the frequency of this training, which can count towards professional development or continuing education requirements. The Department of Mental Health will provide participants with a certificate of completion that can be used to satisfy training requirements in their current or future school districts, provided the training meets current guidelines. The goal of this legislation is to enhance school staff's ability to recognize and respond to mental health challenges among students by ensuring all instructional and administrative personnel receive specialized training in mental health first aid techniques. The bill will take effect on July 1, 2025, giving school districts time to prepare and implement the new training requirement.

Education

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2025/pdf/history/HB/HB0997.xml