Public Act No. 23-101 Summary

• Establishes an Office of the Behavioral Health Advocate within the Insurance Department to assist mental and behavioral health care providers with insurance claims and help residents access mental health services.

• Expands mental health and wellness support through Medicaid reimbursement for suicide risk assessments and mental health evaluations at school-based health centers, plus requires Spanish-language services for eligible children in early intervention programs.

• Reduces licensing fees for social workers, marital and family therapists, and professional counselors to increase accessibility to the mental health profession.

• Creates play-based learning requirements for kindergarten and preschool programs (mandatory) and grades 1-5 (permitted) to support children's emotional and social development.

• Establishes multiple advisory bodies and task forces to study children's wellness needs, including expanded paid sick leave for service workers and $200 general administrative payments to early childhood providers for smaller service plans.