Bill > HB5054

This bill establishes a pilot program in West Virginia requiring counties participating in the Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) Pilot Program to have at least one QMHP, defined as a person qualified to provide collaborative mental health services, in every public school within that county. Importantly, the bill classifies school counselors as QMHPs, meaning they can fulfill this requirement. The pilot program will initially include 10 counties designated by the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education and Accountability (LOCEA), and these counties must ensure a QMHP is present in all their public schools. After two years, LOCEA will receive a report on the program's outcomes and can then decide whether to expand it to more counties. The bill also allows participating counties to contract with federal and state agencies for billing purposes related to this program.

Education

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=5054&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill