Bill > S0256

Introduced Session

This act would amend the current law to mandate additional state education categorical funding for the mental and behavioral health of students equal to two percent (2%) of the district’s total expenditures, and would further mandate that those funds be used to hire and retain staff such as school social workers, school counselors, school psychologists, paraprofessionals, behavioral specialists, and registered behavior techs (RBTs). This act would also require that in order to be eligible for such funding, districts must: (1) be below the industry-recommended ratios of student population to school social worker, school counselor or school psychologist and/or have elementary classrooms without a full-time behavior specialist; (2) comply with all provisions of the school improvement team law; and (3) maintain policies to ensure students removed from the classroom with escalated behavior receive de-escalation support before returning to the classroom. The act would further require the department of elementary and secondary education to collect performance reports from districts, approve the use of funds before expending, and ensure the funds are not utilized for activities the district is currently funding. This act would take effect upon passage.

Committee Categories

Melissa Murray (D)*,  Jonathon Acosta (D),  Sam Bell (D),  Victoria Gu (D),  Pam Lauria (D),  Brian Thompson (D),  Lori Urso (D),  Sam Zurier (D), 

Committee recommended measure be held for further study (on 05/20/2025)

Official Document