2025 RECONVENED SESSION
REENROLLED
VIRGINIA ACTS OF ASSEMBLY -- CHAPTER
An Act to amend and reenact 22.1-272.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Department of Education; model memorandum of understanding; partnerships with community mental health services providers or a nationally recognized school-based telehealth provider; counseling from school counselors by way of telehealth.
[H 2543]
Approved
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That 22.1-272.2 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
22.1-272.2. Department; model memorandum of understanding; partnerships with community mental health services providers or a nationally recognized school-based telehealth provider.
The Department, in consultation with the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services and the Department of Medical Assistance Services, shall develop, adopt, and distribute to each school board a model memorandum of understanding between a school board and a public or private community mental health services provider or a nationally recognized school-based telehealth provider that (i) sets forth parameters for the provision of mental health services to public school students enrolled in the local school division by such provider, including the provision of mental health teletherapy for students, and the provision of counseling for students by school counselors by way of telehealth and including a requirement for parental consent before the provision of any such services to any student who is under 18 years of age; (ii) reflects effective practices,; and (iii) addresses privacy considerations related to the exchange of information between the parties to the memorandum of understanding and relevant laws and regulations. The Department shall maintain and update as necessary the model memorandum of understanding to ensure that it remains current, useful, and relevant.