Subcommittee backs bill directing state guidance on culturally responsive school mental health supports
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Summary
House Bill 11 13 would direct the Virginia Department of Education to produce statewide guidance for culturally and linguistically appropriate school mental‑health supports; committee staff said a one‑time $60,000 fiscal impact in FY2027 would cover contractor assistance and no ongoing state cost is anticipated; the subcommittee reported the bill to the next stage.
An unidentified presenter asked the joint subcommittee to support House Bill 11 13, a targeted student mental‑health bill that would direct the Virginia Department of Education to develop statewide guidance to help local school boards adopt policies for culturally responsive and language‑appropriate mental health supports and services in schools.
The presenter noted the growing urgency of student mental health needs and said research shows students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds face additional barriers to accessing care that schools are well positioned to address. The presenter also cited the bill’s fiscal analysis, which lists a one‑time general fund expenditure of $60,000 in fiscal year 2027 for contractor assistance to develop and adopt the guidance; the presenter said no ongoing state cost is anticipated beyond that point.
A motion was made to report the bill; the clerk opened the roll and the chair announced the bill reported out with a tally stated in the record as "7 to 0." The transcript does not include a member‑by‑member roll call in the excerpt provided.
The transcript does not describe subsequent steps beyond the subcommittee’s recorded action.
