VT H0818

Establishes a voluntary mental health screening program allowing Vermont supervisory unions to provide evidence-based, age-appropriate mental health screenings to students with prior written parental consent

Requires the Agency of Education and Department of Mental Health to jointly develop the program, with the State Board of Education adopting rules on participation, data privacy (FERPA compliance), annual training, and targeted mental health conditions

Supervisory unions must notify the Agency by July 1 each year of their intent to participate, obtain parental consent before screening, report results to parents, and discuss resources for students who screen positive

Appropriates $10,000 from the General Fund in fiscal year 2027, with 90% distributed to participating unions based on average daily membership and 10% reserved for unions that exhaust their initial allocation

Grants civil and criminal immunity to trained school employees providing screening services, except in cases of recklessness, gross negligence, or intentional misconduct; requires annual reporting to legislative health committees on participation and fund sufficiency