Committee approves voluntary early‑childhood mental‑health home‑visiting pilot after public testimony

The House Health Committee voted to advance House Bill 2313 to Government Operations after hearing public testimony and member questions about program safeguards.

Chairman Hawk, the bill sponsor, described HB 2313 as a voluntary, permissive, evidence-based home‑visiting program focused on early‑childhood mental health, modeled after longstanding nurse‑family approaches. He emphasized the program is voluntary and intended to improve early intervention for children and families.

During the public‑comment period, Britney Ruiz identified herself and opposed the bill as written. Ruiz cited several statistics from a Vanderbilt Health survey and other sources (as presented in her testimony): she said "one in three parents reported that their child has a mental health diagnosis," and raised concerns that developmental and mental‑health assessments often lead to psychotropic prescriptions for children. Ruiz urged statutory opt‑out language, clearer parental notice about mandatory‑reporting obligations, and explicit metrics and outcome tracking for the program.

Sponsor Hawk reiterated the bill’s voluntary nature and said the program would include parent‑child psychotherapy and developmental assessments while noting the program would not be mandatory. Committee members expressed a range of views: some voiced concern that well‑intentioned programs can create perverse incentives; others supported the pilot as a measured step to expand services.

The committee voted 10 yes, 3 no and 5 present not voting to advance HB 2313 to Government Operations. The bill’s next step will be committee consideration in Government Operations.