SB306 Summary

• Requires each local board of education and independent school system in Alabama to employ a mental health service coordinator beginning in the 2023-2024 school year, subject to legislative appropriations.

• Mental health service 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 relevant mental health licensure such as 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 must complete and submit a needs assessment and resource map to the Alabama Department of Mental Health by the last day of fiscal year 2021 and as requested thereafter, documenting mental health status and allowing for quality improvement processes.

• The Alabama Department of Mental Health and State Department of Education are authorized to adopt rules and policies for implementation, with all administration subject to legislative appropriations.