SB120 Summary

• State Department of Education shall develop a comprehensive program to address mental health of "Tier II students" (at-risk K-12 students with inadequate social-behavioral skills, including ADHD and anger management issues) through professional development training, one-on-one consultations, and curriculum development.

• Department must create a "safe and supportive schools framework" providing guidance to school districts for establishing positive learning environments that integrate social-emotional learning, bullying prevention, trauma sensitivity, and restorative discipline approaches.

• Each local board of education shall implement the framework and develop action plans with timed, measurable goals addressing identified needs; action plans must be published on school district websites and reviewed annually or biannually.

• Beginning in the 2022-2023 school year, each local board of education must employ a mental health service coordinator with qualifications in social work, school counseling, nursing, or licensed mental health practice, and must complete a school-based mental health certificate within one year of hire.

• Each local board must submit a needs assessment and resource map to the Alabama Department of Mental Health by the last day of fiscal year 2022 documenting the mental health status of the entire school system, with focus on Tier II students.