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OLR Bill Analysis
HB 6509
AN ACT CONCERNING SCHOOL -BASED MENTAL HEALTH
CLINICS.
SUMMARY
This bill requires the Department of Public Health (DPH), in
consultation with the Connecticut Association of School-based Health
Centers, to develop a plan by January 1, 2022, to establish school-based
mental health clinics in regions of the state that do not have access to a
school-based health center or an expanded school health site.
The bill allows clinics to (1) provide counseling to individual
students, groups, or families, to the extent permitted by a sponsoring
facility's license or certification; (2) extend the hours of operation to
include after school, weekend, or summer hours based on community
need for services, and (3) provide mental health programming for
students in partnership with a local or regional board of education.
Under the bill, mental health programming means age-appropriate
education or outreach initiatives aimed at students to prevent mental
illness (e.g., poster and flyer campaigns, films, guest speakers, or other
school events).
The bill also allows DPH to adopt regulations to establish minimum
quality standards for school-based mental health clinics.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2021
DEFINITION
School-Based Mental Health Clinic
Under the bill, a "school-based mental health clinic" is a clinic that:
1. is located in or on the grounds of a school facility of a school
district or school board or of an Indian tribe or tribal
organization; 2021HB-06509-R000164-BA.DOCX
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2. is organized through school, community, and health provider
relationships;
3. is administered by a sponsoring facility (e.g., a hospital,
community health center, or school system); and
4. provides on-site mental, emotional, or behavioral health
services to children and adolescents in accordance with state
and local law, including laws relating to licensure and
certification.
COMMITTEE ACTION
Committee on Children
Joint Favorable
Yea 9 Nay 4 (03/11/2021)