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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1805 FILED ON: 1/19/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 346
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Rebecca L. Rausch
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act ensuring access to mental health supports in K-12 schools.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Rebecca L. RauschNorfolk, Worcester and MiddlesexLydia EdwardsThird Suffolk2/3/2023James B. EldridgeMiddlesex and Worcester2/14/2023 1 of 2
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1805 FILED ON: 1/19/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 346
By Ms. Rausch, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 346) of Rebecca L. Rausch, Lydia
Edwards and James B. Eldridge for legislation to ensuring access to mental health supports in K-
12 schools. Education.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
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An Act ensuring access to mental health supports in K-12 schools.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 Section 1P of Chapter 69 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020 Official Edition,
2is hereby amended by inserting after subsection (g) the following subsection:-
3 (h) As used in this section, the term “school mental health professional” shall mean a
4school counselor, a school psychologist, or a school social worker. The department of elementary
5and secondary education shall provide school mental health professionals at a ratio of at least 1
6per 250 students, with a minimum of 1 school mental health professional at each elementary and
7each secondary school in the commonwealth. Consistent with applicable scopes of practice,
8school mental health professionals may, without limitation, provide mental health services to
9students; offer training and resources to school faculty and administrators; provide the school
10with culturally competent and linguistically diverse resources to develop and improve the social
11and emotional health of students; provide direct social and emotional skill building; assist
12students and their families with applying for and obtaining necessary public benefits for which 2 of 2
13each student and the student’s family is eligible; provide services and supports to students who
14have an individualized education program; consult and coordinate with other school
15professionals on behalf of students and support families accessing community-based resources as
16needed and appropriate; and identify food insecurity, homelessness, and other issues affecting
17students and make referrals to services with the community, bringing those services into the
18school where possible.