CA AB2525

Requires the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission to develop a student mental health framework by January 1, 2023, in coordination with the State Department of Education, Department of Health Care Services, local educational agencies, and county mental health departments.

Framework must address root causes of student mental health needs, produce positive school and mental health outcomes, and support healthy and safe learning environments.

Framework shall consider best available research on student mental health and school safety, prioritize mental health promotion and early intervention, improve inter-agency coordination, and outline state support strategies for local implementation.

Framework must include guidelines or proposals for sustainable funding to support the proposed student mental health goals.

Legislature finds that approximately one in five youth have unmet mental health needs, and unmet needs are associated with school disengagement, absenteeism, failure to graduate, and increased risk of homelessness, unemployment, and criminal justice involvement.