California 2019-2020 Regular Session

California Assembly Bill AB2018 Compare Versions

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11 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20192020 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 2018Introduced by Assembly Members Gabriel and ODonnellJanuary 29, 2020An act to add Section 49428.1 to the Education Code, relating to pupil health. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 2018, as introduced, Gabriel. Pupil mental health: model referral protocols.Existing law requires the governing board of a school district to give diligent care to the health and physical development of pupils and authorizes the governing board of a school district to employ properly certified persons for this purpose. Existing law requires a school of a school district or county office of education and a charter school to notify pupils and parents or guardians of pupils no less than twice during the school year on how to initiate access to available pupil mental health services on campus or in the community, or both, as provided. This bill would require the State Department of Education to develop model referral protocols, as provided, for addressing pupil mental health concerns. The bill would require the department to consult with various entities in developing the protocols, including current classroom teachers and administrators. The bill would require the department to post the model referral protocols on its internet website. The bill would make these provisions contingent upon funds being appropriated for its purpose in the annual Budget Act or other legislation, or state, federal, or private funds being allocated for this purpose.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. (a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(1) Research points to a strong connection between mental wellness and academic achievement.(2) Research demonstrates that early detection and treatment of mental illness improves attendance, behavior, and academic achievement.(3) It is estimated that 20 percent of children have mental health issues, 80 percent of whom are estimated to be undiagnosed and untreated. The lack of attention to a childs mental health has significant effects on the childs school achievement and life outcomes.(4) Mental health challenges disproportionately impact pupils who face stressors such as violence, trauma, and poverty.(5) Californias educators report their lack of preparedness in addressing pupil mental health challenges as a major barrier to instruction. Most educators and staff lack training to identify pupils who may be in need of support and to make referrals, as appropriate, to help pupils overcome and manage mental health issues and succeed in school.(6) The State Department of Education has identified inadequate service referral and inconsistent pupil mental health policies as major factors contributing to pupils lack of access to support for mental health concerns.(7) No model referral protocol exists to guide schools and local educational agencies in appropriate and timely intervention for pupil mental health concerns.(8) The State Department of Education is well positioned to provide state leadership and guidance to local educational agencies so that they are better able to address pupil mental health concerns.(b) It is therefore the intent of the Legislature in enacting this measure to direct the development of model, evidence-based referral protocols for addressing pupil mental health concerns that may be voluntarily used by schoolsites, school districts, county offices of education, charter schools, and teacher and administrator preparation programs.SEC. 2. Section 49428.1 is added to the Education Code, to read:49428.1. (a) The department shall develop model referral protocols for addressing pupil mental health concerns. In developing these protocols, the department shall consult with the members of the Student Mental Health Policy Workgroup, local educational agencies that have served as state or regional leaders in state or federal pupil mental health initiatives, county mental health programs, current classroom teachers and administrators, current schoolsite classified staff, current schoolsite staff who hold pupil personnel services credentials, current school nurses, current school counselors, and other professionals involved in pupil mental health as the department deems appropriate.(b) These protocols shall be designed for use, on a voluntary basis, by schoolsites, school districts, county offices of education, charter schools, the California School for the Deaf, and the California School for the Blind, and by teacher, administrator, school counselor, pupil personnel services, and school nurse preparation programs operated by postsecondary educational institutions. The protocols shall do all of the following:(1) Address the appropriate and timely referral by school staff of pupils with mental health concerns.(2) Reflect a multitiered system of support processes and positive behavioral interventions and supports.(3) Be adaptable to varied local service arrangements for mental health services.(4) Reflect evidence-based and culturally appropriate approaches to pupil mental health referral.(5) Address the inclusion of parents and guardians in the referral process.(6) Be written to ensure clarity and ease of use by certificated and classified school employees.(7) Reflect differentiated referral processes for pupils with disabilities and other populations for whom the referral process may be distinct.(8) Be written to ensure that school employees act only within the authorization or scope of their credential or license. Nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing or encouraging school employees to diagnose or treat mental illness unless they are specifically licensed and employed to do so.(9) Be consistent with state activities conducted by the department in the administration of federally funded mental health programs.(c) The department shall consider, when developing protocols under this section, the school mental health referral pathways toolkit developed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the United States Department of Health and Human Services.(d) The department shall post the model referral protocols on its internet website so that they may be accessed and used by educational institutions specified in subdivision (b).(e) This section is contingent upon funds being appropriated for its purpose to the department in the annual Budget Act or other legislation, or state, federal, or private funds being allocated for this purpose.(f) The model referral protocols shall be completed and made available within two years of the date funds are received or allocated to implement this section.
22
33 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20192020 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 2018Introduced by Assembly Members Gabriel and ODonnellJanuary 29, 2020An act to add Section 49428.1 to the Education Code, relating to pupil health. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 2018, as introduced, Gabriel. Pupil mental health: model referral protocols.Existing law requires the governing board of a school district to give diligent care to the health and physical development of pupils and authorizes the governing board of a school district to employ properly certified persons for this purpose. Existing law requires a school of a school district or county office of education and a charter school to notify pupils and parents or guardians of pupils no less than twice during the school year on how to initiate access to available pupil mental health services on campus or in the community, or both, as provided. This bill would require the State Department of Education to develop model referral protocols, as provided, for addressing pupil mental health concerns. The bill would require the department to consult with various entities in developing the protocols, including current classroom teachers and administrators. The bill would require the department to post the model referral protocols on its internet website. The bill would make these provisions contingent upon funds being appropriated for its purpose in the annual Budget Act or other legislation, or state, federal, or private funds being allocated for this purpose.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO
44
55
66
77
88
99 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20192020 REGULAR SESSION
1010
1111 Assembly Bill
1212
1313 No. 2018
1414
1515 Introduced by Assembly Members Gabriel and ODonnellJanuary 29, 2020
1616
1717 Introduced by Assembly Members Gabriel and ODonnell
1818 January 29, 2020
1919
2020 An act to add Section 49428.1 to the Education Code, relating to pupil health.
2121
2222 LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
2323
2424 ## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
2525
2626 AB 2018, as introduced, Gabriel. Pupil mental health: model referral protocols.
2727
2828 Existing law requires the governing board of a school district to give diligent care to the health and physical development of pupils and authorizes the governing board of a school district to employ properly certified persons for this purpose. Existing law requires a school of a school district or county office of education and a charter school to notify pupils and parents or guardians of pupils no less than twice during the school year on how to initiate access to available pupil mental health services on campus or in the community, or both, as provided. This bill would require the State Department of Education to develop model referral protocols, as provided, for addressing pupil mental health concerns. The bill would require the department to consult with various entities in developing the protocols, including current classroom teachers and administrators. The bill would require the department to post the model referral protocols on its internet website. The bill would make these provisions contingent upon funds being appropriated for its purpose in the annual Budget Act or other legislation, or state, federal, or private funds being allocated for this purpose.
2929
3030 Existing law requires the governing board of a school district to give diligent care to the health and physical development of pupils and authorizes the governing board of a school district to employ properly certified persons for this purpose. Existing law requires a school of a school district or county office of education and a charter school to notify pupils and parents or guardians of pupils no less than twice during the school year on how to initiate access to available pupil mental health services on campus or in the community, or both, as provided.
3131
3232 This bill would require the State Department of Education to develop model referral protocols, as provided, for addressing pupil mental health concerns. The bill would require the department to consult with various entities in developing the protocols, including current classroom teachers and administrators. The bill would require the department to post the model referral protocols on its internet website. The bill would make these provisions contingent upon funds being appropriated for its purpose in the annual Budget Act or other legislation, or state, federal, or private funds being allocated for this purpose.
3333
3434 ## Digest Key
3535
3636 ## Bill Text
3737
3838 The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. (a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(1) Research points to a strong connection between mental wellness and academic achievement.(2) Research demonstrates that early detection and treatment of mental illness improves attendance, behavior, and academic achievement.(3) It is estimated that 20 percent of children have mental health issues, 80 percent of whom are estimated to be undiagnosed and untreated. The lack of attention to a childs mental health has significant effects on the childs school achievement and life outcomes.(4) Mental health challenges disproportionately impact pupils who face stressors such as violence, trauma, and poverty.(5) Californias educators report their lack of preparedness in addressing pupil mental health challenges as a major barrier to instruction. Most educators and staff lack training to identify pupils who may be in need of support and to make referrals, as appropriate, to help pupils overcome and manage mental health issues and succeed in school.(6) The State Department of Education has identified inadequate service referral and inconsistent pupil mental health policies as major factors contributing to pupils lack of access to support for mental health concerns.(7) No model referral protocol exists to guide schools and local educational agencies in appropriate and timely intervention for pupil mental health concerns.(8) The State Department of Education is well positioned to provide state leadership and guidance to local educational agencies so that they are better able to address pupil mental health concerns.(b) It is therefore the intent of the Legislature in enacting this measure to direct the development of model, evidence-based referral protocols for addressing pupil mental health concerns that may be voluntarily used by schoolsites, school districts, county offices of education, charter schools, and teacher and administrator preparation programs.SEC. 2. Section 49428.1 is added to the Education Code, to read:49428.1. (a) The department shall develop model referral protocols for addressing pupil mental health concerns. In developing these protocols, the department shall consult with the members of the Student Mental Health Policy Workgroup, local educational agencies that have served as state or regional leaders in state or federal pupil mental health initiatives, county mental health programs, current classroom teachers and administrators, current schoolsite classified staff, current schoolsite staff who hold pupil personnel services credentials, current school nurses, current school counselors, and other professionals involved in pupil mental health as the department deems appropriate.(b) These protocols shall be designed for use, on a voluntary basis, by schoolsites, school districts, county offices of education, charter schools, the California School for the Deaf, and the California School for the Blind, and by teacher, administrator, school counselor, pupil personnel services, and school nurse preparation programs operated by postsecondary educational institutions. The protocols shall do all of the following:(1) Address the appropriate and timely referral by school staff of pupils with mental health concerns.(2) Reflect a multitiered system of support processes and positive behavioral interventions and supports.(3) Be adaptable to varied local service arrangements for mental health services.(4) Reflect evidence-based and culturally appropriate approaches to pupil mental health referral.(5) Address the inclusion of parents and guardians in the referral process.(6) Be written to ensure clarity and ease of use by certificated and classified school employees.(7) Reflect differentiated referral processes for pupils with disabilities and other populations for whom the referral process may be distinct.(8) Be written to ensure that school employees act only within the authorization or scope of their credential or license. Nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing or encouraging school employees to diagnose or treat mental illness unless they are specifically licensed and employed to do so.(9) Be consistent with state activities conducted by the department in the administration of federally funded mental health programs.(c) The department shall consider, when developing protocols under this section, the school mental health referral pathways toolkit developed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the United States Department of Health and Human Services.(d) The department shall post the model referral protocols on its internet website so that they may be accessed and used by educational institutions specified in subdivision (b).(e) This section is contingent upon funds being appropriated for its purpose to the department in the annual Budget Act or other legislation, or state, federal, or private funds being allocated for this purpose.(f) The model referral protocols shall be completed and made available within two years of the date funds are received or allocated to implement this section.
3939
4040 The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
4141
4242 ## The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
4343
4444 SECTION 1. (a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(1) Research points to a strong connection between mental wellness and academic achievement.(2) Research demonstrates that early detection and treatment of mental illness improves attendance, behavior, and academic achievement.(3) It is estimated that 20 percent of children have mental health issues, 80 percent of whom are estimated to be undiagnosed and untreated. The lack of attention to a childs mental health has significant effects on the childs school achievement and life outcomes.(4) Mental health challenges disproportionately impact pupils who face stressors such as violence, trauma, and poverty.(5) Californias educators report their lack of preparedness in addressing pupil mental health challenges as a major barrier to instruction. Most educators and staff lack training to identify pupils who may be in need of support and to make referrals, as appropriate, to help pupils overcome and manage mental health issues and succeed in school.(6) The State Department of Education has identified inadequate service referral and inconsistent pupil mental health policies as major factors contributing to pupils lack of access to support for mental health concerns.(7) No model referral protocol exists to guide schools and local educational agencies in appropriate and timely intervention for pupil mental health concerns.(8) The State Department of Education is well positioned to provide state leadership and guidance to local educational agencies so that they are better able to address pupil mental health concerns.(b) It is therefore the intent of the Legislature in enacting this measure to direct the development of model, evidence-based referral protocols for addressing pupil mental health concerns that may be voluntarily used by schoolsites, school districts, county offices of education, charter schools, and teacher and administrator preparation programs.
4545
4646 SECTION 1. (a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(1) Research points to a strong connection between mental wellness and academic achievement.(2) Research demonstrates that early detection and treatment of mental illness improves attendance, behavior, and academic achievement.(3) It is estimated that 20 percent of children have mental health issues, 80 percent of whom are estimated to be undiagnosed and untreated. The lack of attention to a childs mental health has significant effects on the childs school achievement and life outcomes.(4) Mental health challenges disproportionately impact pupils who face stressors such as violence, trauma, and poverty.(5) Californias educators report their lack of preparedness in addressing pupil mental health challenges as a major barrier to instruction. Most educators and staff lack training to identify pupils who may be in need of support and to make referrals, as appropriate, to help pupils overcome and manage mental health issues and succeed in school.(6) The State Department of Education has identified inadequate service referral and inconsistent pupil mental health policies as major factors contributing to pupils lack of access to support for mental health concerns.(7) No model referral protocol exists to guide schools and local educational agencies in appropriate and timely intervention for pupil mental health concerns.(8) The State Department of Education is well positioned to provide state leadership and guidance to local educational agencies so that they are better able to address pupil mental health concerns.(b) It is therefore the intent of the Legislature in enacting this measure to direct the development of model, evidence-based referral protocols for addressing pupil mental health concerns that may be voluntarily used by schoolsites, school districts, county offices of education, charter schools, and teacher and administrator preparation programs.
4747
4848 SECTION 1. (a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
4949
5050 ### SECTION 1.
5151
5252 (1) Research points to a strong connection between mental wellness and academic achievement.
5353
5454 (2) Research demonstrates that early detection and treatment of mental illness improves attendance, behavior, and academic achievement.
5555
5656 (3) It is estimated that 20 percent of children have mental health issues, 80 percent of whom are estimated to be undiagnosed and untreated. The lack of attention to a childs mental health has significant effects on the childs school achievement and life outcomes.
5757
5858 (4) Mental health challenges disproportionately impact pupils who face stressors such as violence, trauma, and poverty.
5959
6060 (5) Californias educators report their lack of preparedness in addressing pupil mental health challenges as a major barrier to instruction. Most educators and staff lack training to identify pupils who may be in need of support and to make referrals, as appropriate, to help pupils overcome and manage mental health issues and succeed in school.
6161
6262 (6) The State Department of Education has identified inadequate service referral and inconsistent pupil mental health policies as major factors contributing to pupils lack of access to support for mental health concerns.
6363
6464 (7) No model referral protocol exists to guide schools and local educational agencies in appropriate and timely intervention for pupil mental health concerns.
6565
6666 (8) The State Department of Education is well positioned to provide state leadership and guidance to local educational agencies so that they are better able to address pupil mental health concerns.
6767
6868 (b) It is therefore the intent of the Legislature in enacting this measure to direct the development of model, evidence-based referral protocols for addressing pupil mental health concerns that may be voluntarily used by schoolsites, school districts, county offices of education, charter schools, and teacher and administrator preparation programs.
6969
7070 SEC. 2. Section 49428.1 is added to the Education Code, to read:49428.1. (a) The department shall develop model referral protocols for addressing pupil mental health concerns. In developing these protocols, the department shall consult with the members of the Student Mental Health Policy Workgroup, local educational agencies that have served as state or regional leaders in state or federal pupil mental health initiatives, county mental health programs, current classroom teachers and administrators, current schoolsite classified staff, current schoolsite staff who hold pupil personnel services credentials, current school nurses, current school counselors, and other professionals involved in pupil mental health as the department deems appropriate.(b) These protocols shall be designed for use, on a voluntary basis, by schoolsites, school districts, county offices of education, charter schools, the California School for the Deaf, and the California School for the Blind, and by teacher, administrator, school counselor, pupil personnel services, and school nurse preparation programs operated by postsecondary educational institutions. The protocols shall do all of the following:(1) Address the appropriate and timely referral by school staff of pupils with mental health concerns.(2) Reflect a multitiered system of support processes and positive behavioral interventions and supports.(3) Be adaptable to varied local service arrangements for mental health services.(4) Reflect evidence-based and culturally appropriate approaches to pupil mental health referral.(5) Address the inclusion of parents and guardians in the referral process.(6) Be written to ensure clarity and ease of use by certificated and classified school employees.(7) Reflect differentiated referral processes for pupils with disabilities and other populations for whom the referral process may be distinct.(8) Be written to ensure that school employees act only within the authorization or scope of their credential or license. Nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing or encouraging school employees to diagnose or treat mental illness unless they are specifically licensed and employed to do so.(9) Be consistent with state activities conducted by the department in the administration of federally funded mental health programs.(c) The department shall consider, when developing protocols under this section, the school mental health referral pathways toolkit developed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the United States Department of Health and Human Services.(d) The department shall post the model referral protocols on its internet website so that they may be accessed and used by educational institutions specified in subdivision (b).(e) This section is contingent upon funds being appropriated for its purpose to the department in the annual Budget Act or other legislation, or state, federal, or private funds being allocated for this purpose.(f) The model referral protocols shall be completed and made available within two years of the date funds are received or allocated to implement this section.
7171
7272 SEC. 2. Section 49428.1 is added to the Education Code, to read:
7373
7474 ### SEC. 2.
7575
7676 49428.1. (a) The department shall develop model referral protocols for addressing pupil mental health concerns. In developing these protocols, the department shall consult with the members of the Student Mental Health Policy Workgroup, local educational agencies that have served as state or regional leaders in state or federal pupil mental health initiatives, county mental health programs, current classroom teachers and administrators, current schoolsite classified staff, current schoolsite staff who hold pupil personnel services credentials, current school nurses, current school counselors, and other professionals involved in pupil mental health as the department deems appropriate.(b) These protocols shall be designed for use, on a voluntary basis, by schoolsites, school districts, county offices of education, charter schools, the California School for the Deaf, and the California School for the Blind, and by teacher, administrator, school counselor, pupil personnel services, and school nurse preparation programs operated by postsecondary educational institutions. The protocols shall do all of the following:(1) Address the appropriate and timely referral by school staff of pupils with mental health concerns.(2) Reflect a multitiered system of support processes and positive behavioral interventions and supports.(3) Be adaptable to varied local service arrangements for mental health services.(4) Reflect evidence-based and culturally appropriate approaches to pupil mental health referral.(5) Address the inclusion of parents and guardians in the referral process.(6) Be written to ensure clarity and ease of use by certificated and classified school employees.(7) Reflect differentiated referral processes for pupils with disabilities and other populations for whom the referral process may be distinct.(8) Be written to ensure that school employees act only within the authorization or scope of their credential or license. Nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing or encouraging school employees to diagnose or treat mental illness unless they are specifically licensed and employed to do so.(9) Be consistent with state activities conducted by the department in the administration of federally funded mental health programs.(c) The department shall consider, when developing protocols under this section, the school mental health referral pathways toolkit developed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the United States Department of Health and Human Services.(d) The department shall post the model referral protocols on its internet website so that they may be accessed and used by educational institutions specified in subdivision (b).(e) This section is contingent upon funds being appropriated for its purpose to the department in the annual Budget Act or other legislation, or state, federal, or private funds being allocated for this purpose.(f) The model referral protocols shall be completed and made available within two years of the date funds are received or allocated to implement this section.
7777
7878 49428.1. (a) The department shall develop model referral protocols for addressing pupil mental health concerns. In developing these protocols, the department shall consult with the members of the Student Mental Health Policy Workgroup, local educational agencies that have served as state or regional leaders in state or federal pupil mental health initiatives, county mental health programs, current classroom teachers and administrators, current schoolsite classified staff, current schoolsite staff who hold pupil personnel services credentials, current school nurses, current school counselors, and other professionals involved in pupil mental health as the department deems appropriate.(b) These protocols shall be designed for use, on a voluntary basis, by schoolsites, school districts, county offices of education, charter schools, the California School for the Deaf, and the California School for the Blind, and by teacher, administrator, school counselor, pupil personnel services, and school nurse preparation programs operated by postsecondary educational institutions. The protocols shall do all of the following:(1) Address the appropriate and timely referral by school staff of pupils with mental health concerns.(2) Reflect a multitiered system of support processes and positive behavioral interventions and supports.(3) Be adaptable to varied local service arrangements for mental health services.(4) Reflect evidence-based and culturally appropriate approaches to pupil mental health referral.(5) Address the inclusion of parents and guardians in the referral process.(6) Be written to ensure clarity and ease of use by certificated and classified school employees.(7) Reflect differentiated referral processes for pupils with disabilities and other populations for whom the referral process may be distinct.(8) Be written to ensure that school employees act only within the authorization or scope of their credential or license. Nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing or encouraging school employees to diagnose or treat mental illness unless they are specifically licensed and employed to do so.(9) Be consistent with state activities conducted by the department in the administration of federally funded mental health programs.(c) The department shall consider, when developing protocols under this section, the school mental health referral pathways toolkit developed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the United States Department of Health and Human Services.(d) The department shall post the model referral protocols on its internet website so that they may be accessed and used by educational institutions specified in subdivision (b).(e) This section is contingent upon funds being appropriated for its purpose to the department in the annual Budget Act or other legislation, or state, federal, or private funds being allocated for this purpose.(f) The model referral protocols shall be completed and made available within two years of the date funds are received or allocated to implement this section.
7979
8080 49428.1. (a) The department shall develop model referral protocols for addressing pupil mental health concerns. In developing these protocols, the department shall consult with the members of the Student Mental Health Policy Workgroup, local educational agencies that have served as state or regional leaders in state or federal pupil mental health initiatives, county mental health programs, current classroom teachers and administrators, current schoolsite classified staff, current schoolsite staff who hold pupil personnel services credentials, current school nurses, current school counselors, and other professionals involved in pupil mental health as the department deems appropriate.(b) These protocols shall be designed for use, on a voluntary basis, by schoolsites, school districts, county offices of education, charter schools, the California School for the Deaf, and the California School for the Blind, and by teacher, administrator, school counselor, pupil personnel services, and school nurse preparation programs operated by postsecondary educational institutions. The protocols shall do all of the following:(1) Address the appropriate and timely referral by school staff of pupils with mental health concerns.(2) Reflect a multitiered system of support processes and positive behavioral interventions and supports.(3) Be adaptable to varied local service arrangements for mental health services.(4) Reflect evidence-based and culturally appropriate approaches to pupil mental health referral.(5) Address the inclusion of parents and guardians in the referral process.(6) Be written to ensure clarity and ease of use by certificated and classified school employees.(7) Reflect differentiated referral processes for pupils with disabilities and other populations for whom the referral process may be distinct.(8) Be written to ensure that school employees act only within the authorization or scope of their credential or license. Nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing or encouraging school employees to diagnose or treat mental illness unless they are specifically licensed and employed to do so.(9) Be consistent with state activities conducted by the department in the administration of federally funded mental health programs.(c) The department shall consider, when developing protocols under this section, the school mental health referral pathways toolkit developed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the United States Department of Health and Human Services.(d) The department shall post the model referral protocols on its internet website so that they may be accessed and used by educational institutions specified in subdivision (b).(e) This section is contingent upon funds being appropriated for its purpose to the department in the annual Budget Act or other legislation, or state, federal, or private funds being allocated for this purpose.(f) The model referral protocols shall be completed and made available within two years of the date funds are received or allocated to implement this section.
8181
8282
8383
8484 49428.1. (a) The department shall develop model referral protocols for addressing pupil mental health concerns. In developing these protocols, the department shall consult with the members of the Student Mental Health Policy Workgroup, local educational agencies that have served as state or regional leaders in state or federal pupil mental health initiatives, county mental health programs, current classroom teachers and administrators, current schoolsite classified staff, current schoolsite staff who hold pupil personnel services credentials, current school nurses, current school counselors, and other professionals involved in pupil mental health as the department deems appropriate.
8585
8686 (b) These protocols shall be designed for use, on a voluntary basis, by schoolsites, school districts, county offices of education, charter schools, the California School for the Deaf, and the California School for the Blind, and by teacher, administrator, school counselor, pupil personnel services, and school nurse preparation programs operated by postsecondary educational institutions. The protocols shall do all of the following:
8787
8888 (1) Address the appropriate and timely referral by school staff of pupils with mental health concerns.
8989
9090 (2) Reflect a multitiered system of support processes and positive behavioral interventions and supports.
9191
9292 (3) Be adaptable to varied local service arrangements for mental health services.
9393
9494 (4) Reflect evidence-based and culturally appropriate approaches to pupil mental health referral.
9595
9696 (5) Address the inclusion of parents and guardians in the referral process.
9797
9898 (6) Be written to ensure clarity and ease of use by certificated and classified school employees.
9999
100100 (7) Reflect differentiated referral processes for pupils with disabilities and other populations for whom the referral process may be distinct.
101101
102102 (8) Be written to ensure that school employees act only within the authorization or scope of their credential or license. Nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing or encouraging school employees to diagnose or treat mental illness unless they are specifically licensed and employed to do so.
103103
104104 (9) Be consistent with state activities conducted by the department in the administration of federally funded mental health programs.
105105
106106 (c) The department shall consider, when developing protocols under this section, the school mental health referral pathways toolkit developed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
107107
108108 (d) The department shall post the model referral protocols on its internet website so that they may be accessed and used by educational institutions specified in subdivision (b).
109109
110110 (e) This section is contingent upon funds being appropriated for its purpose to the department in the annual Budget Act or other legislation, or state, federal, or private funds being allocated for this purpose.
111111
112112 (f) The model referral protocols shall be completed and made available within two years of the date funds are received or allocated to implement this section.