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Committee backs bill letting college students sign optional mental-health contact waiver at registration
Summary
HB 202 would let postsecondary students sign a waiver at registration allowing campus officials to contact parents in a mental-health emergency; the committee reported the bill favorably after members discussed scope, training, and whether institutions must offer the form.
Representative Boyd said HB 202 responds to an increase in mental-health crises among college-aged students and would create an optional waiver that students could sign at registration to allow campus officials to contact parents in a mental-health emergency.
The measure would require institutions to make the waiver form available as part of the registration packet but would not force students to sign it. The bill was tailored specifically to mental health rather than a general health-release waiver because sponsors said broader waivers might discourage students from signing.
Representatives asked whether faculty, counselors or administrators would be responsible for contacting parents and whether staff would receive training; the sponsor said campus counselors would likely handle outreach and that the form simply allows institutions to contact parents ‘‘when appropriate’’ after a student is observed to be in need.
Members also discussed minors who attend postsecondary programs (early admissions) and confirmed that parents would sign for students under 18. Representative Freyberg moved to report HB 202 favorably; the committee recorded no objections and the bill advanced.
