HB19-1017 Summary

• Establishes the K-5 Social and Emotional Health Pilot Program to place dedicated school mental health professionals (social workers, counselors, psychologists) in up to 10 elementary schools serving high-poverty, high-need students, operating from 2020-21 through 2022-23 school years.

• Requires each pilot school to employ or contract with at least one school mental health professional per grade level (K-5) and one dedicated school social worker, maintaining a ratio of approximately one professional per 250 students.

• Mandates pilot school selection by January 15, 2020, prioritizing schools in districts with high youth suicide rates, significant food insecurity, ethnic diversity, out-of-home placements, and diverse workforce recruitment plans.

• Requires comprehensive program evaluation with preliminary report by September 1, 2022 and final report by September 1, 2023, measuring impacts on disciplinary referrals, absences, academic performance, mental health outcomes, food security, and access to public benefits.

• Appropriates $43,114 from the Marijuana Tax Cash Fund for the 2019-20 fiscal year, with additional funding capped at $2.5 million for 2020-21 and remaining funding from gifts and grants; article repeals July 1, 2023.