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Bill to fund student‑led school mental‑health pilots draws broad testimony as lawmakers consider grant details
Summary
House Bill 385 would create a competitive grant program for school districts to implement student‑led, locally tailored mental‑health initiatives. Testimony included students, educators, health professionals and advocates who urged passage; questions centered on funding amounts, rural school access and alignment with existing programs.
Representative Melissa Romano opened the hearing on House Bill 385 by describing a student‑created proposal to pilot locally determined, student‑led mental‑health promotion initiatives in Montana schools. The bill would allow school teams that include students to apply for competitive grants and would require evaluation and a minimum two‑year commitment for funded projects.
The committee heard robust testimony from students, educators and health professionals. "This legislation will profoundly affect every student in Montana by expanding access to critical mental health resources," said Gavin Mow, student representative on the Board of Public Education, recounting survey results he collected from 2,945…
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