ID H0579

Public schools and public charter schools may optionally provide behavioral health telehealth services on school premises, with the mental health professional selected by the student and parents.

Schools providing such services must maintain a secure, confidential room, obtain annual parent consent forms, manage scheduling, ensure no school employee is present during sessions, and provide students information on reporting inappropriate professional behavior.

Schools must not access student medical records, handle billing, or share protected health information unless necessary to prevent serious and imminent threats to health or safety with the professional's determination of apparent intent and ability.

Mental health professionals with prescribing authority may not prescribe new medications during telehealth sessions but may initiate new prescriptions, alter dosages, or discontinue existing medications after consulting with the student's parent or guardian.

School districts, charter schools, and their employees acting reasonably and in good faith are provided liability protection for providing voluntary behavioral health services under this section; effective July 1, 2024.