UT HB0532

Creates a three-year School-based Behavioral Health Pilot Program administered by the Department of Health and Human Services to implement multi-tiered mental health support systems in schools, including prevention, intervention, and recovery services

Establishes a four-tier framework for mental health support: Tier 1 (school-wide screenings and training), Tier 2 (group-based prevention and telehealth services), Tier 3 (short-term individual mental health services with parental consent), and Tier 4 (psychiatric evaluation and consultation)

Requires participating local education agencies (LEAs) or regional education service agencies (RESAs) to contract with implementation partners, comply with parental consent requirements, and participate in statewide data collection and reporting

Mandates that group-based mental health services require documented parental consent for each participating student and prohibits delivering such services in general classroom settings during instructional time unless all students present have consented

Program is scheduled to repeal on July 1, 2029, with findings and recommendations due to the Health and Human Services Interim Committee by December 31, 2028; effective date is July 1, 2026