House panel approves parental-consent rules for school-based mental health and delays curriculum changes to 2026

The Utah House Education Committee on Friday advanced House Bill 281, a substitute measure that requires parental consent and notification for nonemergency in‑school mental‑health therapy, clarifies telehealth procedures in schools and delays some health‑curriculum changes until the 2026 school year.

Supporters said the substitute tightens definitions around what counts as “in‑school mental health therapy,” preserves emergency exceptions and adds notice requirements so parents are informed when therapy sessions occur. Opponents, including professional therapy associations, warned parts of the bill could deter clinicians from asking standard screening questions and could limit students’ ability to disclose safety concerns.

Representative Stamkretius, sponsor of the bill, told the committee the substitute “defines what constitutes in school mental health therapy” and narrows the definition of who may provide therapy to those licensed in their scope of practice. She said the substitute preserves emergency exceptions and requires parental consent for routine therapeutic sessions, with notification afterward. The substitute also sets a staggered effective date: parental‑consent and telehealth notice provisions take effect July 1 following the regular legislative calendar, while health‑curriculum changes will not take effect until July 1, 2026, giving the State Board of Education a year to prepare.

Dr. Aaron Fisher,…