AK SB24

Board of Education and Early Development must develop guidelines for mental health instruction in consultation with Department of Health, Department of Family and Community Services, regional tribal health organizations, and national and state mental health organizations.

Local school boards must adopt policies requiring parent notification at least two weeks before any class or program providing mental health instruction is offered to a child.

Mental health instruction is added as a required component of health education programs for kindergarten through grade 12, alongside physical health, personal safety, and other health topics.

State board must establish guidelines for developmentally appropriate mental health instruction and establish a school health education specialist position to coordinate the program statewide.

Board of Education and Early Development must submit a report to the legislature two years after the effective date describing the mental health guidelines developed and the process used to create them.

Act takes effect July 1, 2024.