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Senate advances bill to expand mental‑health literacy and peer supports in schools, seeks funding plan
Summary
Senators voted to order third reading of H817 after Health & Welfare and Appropriations committees urged statewide guidance, alignment between education and mental‑health systems, and a report exploring funding sources; committees emphasized caution about unfunded mandates.
Senator Gulick, reporting for the Senate Health and Welfare Committee, said H817 would expand student supports by recognizing mental‑health literacy and peer‑to‑peer programming in schools and request a statewide framework led by the Agency of Education (AOE) and Department of Mental Health. "We need a unified system guiding how schools access and integrate mental health supports," Gulick said, noting a committee concern that the bill contained no direct funding and might duplicate existing efforts.
Gulick cited a school survey showing staff needs for youth mental‑health supports rose from 142 in FY22 to approximately 790 in FY25, saying the committee asked the AOE and Department of Mental Health to explore funding sources and submit an inventory of existing programming on or before 01/15/2027 with recommendations for integration. The bill's strike‑all amendment includes intent language, a request to identify funding in the '28 budgets, and a reporting requirement.
Senator Lyons, reporting for Appropriations, said the committee supports the bill and described the immediate fiscal effect as less than de minimis; Appropriations voted 6‑0‑1 to support the measure. Senators asked technical questions (including a typographical correction from "literary" to "literacy"), and the Senate proposed the committee amendment to the House and ordered third reading.
What's next: The Senate ordered third reading of H817; sponsors and committees flagged funding identification and alignment with existing programs as follow‑up priorities.
