AL SB266

Requires each local board of education in Alabama, subject to legislative appropriation, to employ a mental health service coordinator beginning with the 2023-2024 school year to coordinate student mental health services throughout the school system.

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

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

Requires each local board of education to complete and submit a needs assessment and resource map to the Alabama Department of Mental Health documenting the mental health status of the entire school system and enabling quality improvement processes.

Authorizes the Alabama Department of Mental Health and State Department of Education to adopt rules and policies for implementation and conditions all administration on legislative appropriations.