Researcher: JC Page 1 5/27/21
OLR Bill Analysis
HB 6509 (as amended by House "A" and "B")
AN ACT CONCERNING SCHOOL -BASED MENTAL HEALTH
CLINICS.
SUMMARY
This bill requires the Department of Children and Families (DCF)
and the Department of Public Health (DPH), in consultation with the
Connecticut Association of School-based Health Centers and a DCF-
licensed children's mental health service provider, to develop a plan by
January 1, 2022, to promote access to mental health services for
children and youth in regions of the state that do not have access to a
school-based health center or an expanded school health site.
Under the bill, mental health services in the plan may include (1)
counseling to individual students, groups, or families, to the extent
permitted by a sponsoring facility's license or certification; (2)
extended school-based mental health clinic hours, including after
school, weekend, or summer hours based on community need for
services; and (3) 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).
Under the bill, any mental health service provider who staffs a
school-based mental health clinic established in partnership with a
local or regional board of education (1) must be knowledgeable about
social-emotional learning and restorative practices and (2) may
participate in social-emotional learning and restorative practices
training provided to teachers and administrators of the schools
governed by the board. 2021HB-06509-R01-BA.DOCX
Researcher: JC Page 2 5/27/21
The bill requires DCF and DPH to jointly report to the Children's
Committee by January 1, 2022, on the plan and funding sources
available to implement it.
*House Amendment "A" strikes the underlying bill, which would
have required DPH to develop a plan to establish school-based mental
health clinics and allowed the department to adopt regulations to
establish minimum quality standards for them.
*House Amendment "B" (1) adds provider requirements for school-
based mental health clinics established in partnership with a local or
regional board of education and (2) requires that the report DCF and
DPH submit to the Children's Committee include available funding
sources to implement the plan.
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;
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 2021HB-06509-R01-BA.DOCX
Researcher: JC Page 3 5/27/21
Joint Favorable
Yea 9 Nay 4 (03/11/2021)
Public Health Committee
Joint Favorable
Yea 32 Nay 1 (04/15/2021)