Population Health panel rejects bill to create K‑12 student mental‑health portal

The Population Health Subcommittee on March 18, 2025 rejected House Bill 12 12, a proposal to establish an online portal through which K–12 students and their parents could request in‑county therapeutic visits, by a committee vote of 2 ayes and 6 nos.

Representative Kristen Johnson, the bill sponsor, told the panel the measure would "establishes a portal where any student, K through 12, can request to see a therapist in their county," allowing initial visits and a procedure to request additional sessions if the therapist and family determine more time is needed. Johnson said the proposal was modeled on a Colorado program and argued the program is "relatively inexpensive" and could be funded from interest on a $250,000,000 mental‑health fund the legislature established.

The sponsor described benefits she expects if students get earlier access to counseling: reduced stigma, improved attendance and academic performance, and declines in bullying and fights. "Parents a lot of parents don't have the resources to get a therapist for their kids and this program allows that free of charge for these families," Johnson said.

Committee members asked clarifying questions. Chairman Clemens described the bill as bipartisan and highlighted concerns about rising suicide and substance‑use risks among young men; he said early access and destigmatization are important goals. No committee member advanced an amendment; the clerk recorded the vote and the bill failed on the committee floor.

The subcommittee recorded the motion to move passage and a second before the roll call; neither mover nor seconder were named in the transcript. The clerk announced the final tally as 2 ayes and 6 nos, and the bill failed in committee.

House Bill 12 12 will not advance from the Population Health Subcommittee.