SB92 Summary

• State Department of Education must develop a comprehensive program addressing mental health of at-risk students with inadequate social-behavioral skills, including those with ADHD or anger management issues, featuring professional development for teachers, mental health consultations, classroom curricula on social skills, and parenting programs.

• Department shall create a safe and supportive schools framework providing guidance to schools on fostering positive learning environments, integrating behavioral health services, and reducing suspensions and expulsions through restorative discipline practices.

• Each local board of education must employ a mental health service coordinator beginning in the 2022-2023 school year, with coordinator qualifications including bachelor's degree in social work, school psychologist, school counselor, school nurse, or licensed mental health professional credentials.

• School districts implementing the framework must develop action plans identifying needs, establishing measurable goals, publishing plans on district websites, and reviewing them annually or biannually with updates every three years.

• All local boards must complete and submit a needs assessment and resource map to the Alabama Department of Mental Health by the end of fiscal year 2022 documenting school system mental health status and supporting quality improvement processes.