HB 06461 Summary

• Requires each Connecticut institution of higher education to establish a campus mental health coalition by January 1, 2022, with representatives from administration, counseling services, health services, student body, residential life, faculty, and other designated personnel.

• Mandates biennial evaluation of mental health services and programs using a standardized assessment tool developed by the Office of Higher Education and Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services, with results posted publicly and reported to the legislature.

• Requires institutions lacking on-campus mental health resources to enter into memoranda of understanding with community-based mental health care providers or emergency mobile psychiatric service providers by January 1, 2022.

• Directs each institution to establish or update a campus crisis intervention and management plan by January 1, 2022, and adopt a governing board policy on student mental health including types of services and mental health leave availability.

• Expands minors' access to outpatient mental health treatment without parental consent, allowing unlimited sessions rather than a six-session limit, while permitting provider notification to parents only when necessary for the minor's well-being and with the minor's opportunity to object.