GA HB20

Requires the State Board of Education to mandate annual depression and suicide awareness and prevention training for all certificated public school personnel, using Department of Education-approved materials

Establishes the Student Mental Health Screenings Grant Program to fund mental health screening programs for students in grades 6-12, with grants distributed across northern, central, and southern regions and urban, suburban, and rural areas

Requires local school systems to adopt policies on student depression and suicide awareness and prevention by December 31, 2025, addressing procedures for awareness, intervention, and postvention

Mandates the Department of Education develop guidance by October 1, 2025 on using telehealth in public schools for mental health services, and by January 1, 2026 on establishing partnerships with pediatric mental health providers for screenings

Requires parental consent before student mental health screenings and protects schools from liability for acts or omissions related to implementation of screening and training provisions