AL SB93

Each local board of education shall employ a mental health service coordinator, subject to Legislative appropriations, beginning with the 2021-2022 school year.

Coordinators must possess at least one of the following: bachelor's degree in social work, school counselor qualifications, school nurse qualifications, professional mental health experience, or licensure as a licensed professional counselor or marriage and family therapist.

Coordinators must earn a school-based mental health certificate within one year of hire by completing a certification program developed by the Alabama Department of Mental Health.

Each local board of education shall complete and submit a needs assessment and resource map to the Alabama Department of Mental Health by the last day of fiscal year 2021, documenting mental health status and enabling quality improvement processes.

The Alabama Department of Mental Health and State Department of Education may adopt rules and policies for implementation, with all administration subject to Legislative appropriations.