Bill > SB2508

This bill, known as the "2026 Youth Mental Health Access for All Act," establishes the "Student 24/7 Teletherapy Pilot Project" within the State Department of Education to address a youth mental health crisis by providing grant funding to school districts, charter schools, and nonpublic schools for teletherapy services for students in grades 5 through 12. Teletherapy, or remote therapy, will be available around the clock, complementing existing school counseling services, and is intended to be funded by the Education Enhancement Fund, a state fund for educational initiatives. The Department of Education can use up to 10% of the project's funds for administration, and participating vendors must have at least ten years of experience, currently serve at least 50,000 students, and have licensed clinicians experienced in supporting student mental health. The teletherapy platform must offer immediate access to licensed therapists, crisis connections, on-demand resources, be free for students with no insurance or referral requirements, allow students to choose their therapist, align with school protocols, and provide transparent data to districts while maintaining student privacy. The Department of Education is also required to report on the pilot project's participation, usage, and student outcomes to the Legislature by October 1, 2027, and the bill amends existing law to include funding for this pilot project within the Education Enhancement Fund.

Education

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/SB/SB2508.xml