Bill Text: WV HB2100 | 2019 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Establishing a pilot program to develop school-based mental and behavioral health services
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-02-13 - To House Education [HB2100 Detail]
Download: West_Virginia-2019-HB2100-Introduced.html
WEST
virginia legislature
2019 regular session
Introduced
House Bill 2100
By Delegate Hornbuckle
[
Introduced January 9, 2019; Referred
to the Committee on Health and Human Resources then Education.]
A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §18A-5-9, relating to establishing a pilot program to develop school-based mental and behavioral health services as an alternative to disciplinary action for disruptive student behavior.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
ARTICLE 5. AUTHORITY; RIGHTS; RESPONSIBILITY.
§18A-5-9. Pilot program for expansion of school-based mental health and school-based diversion.
(a) As used in this section:
(1) “Expanded school mental health framework” means any program authorized and created under the collaboration between the West Virginia Department of Education and the West Virginia Bureau for Behavioral Health and Health Facilities to provide mental and behavioral health services to students;
(2) “Mental and behavioral health services” means any individualized or group program designed to provide pharmacological, therapeutic, emotional, or behavioral health supports; and
(3) “School-based health center” means any federally qualified health center operating on school grounds.
(b) The department of education shall develop a three-year pilot program to establish school-based mental and behavioral health services for students and families as an alternative to the disciplinary measures authorized in §18A-5-1 of this code.
(c) The pilot program will be available to schools that have implemented:
(1) A school-based health center providing mental and behavioral health services; or
(2) The expanded school mental health framework.
(d) The pilot program shall require that participating schools:
(1) Through direct employment or contractual relationship, provide mental and behavioral health services.
(2) Through direct employment or contractual relationship, have appropriate services available for all levels of need.
(3) Authorize employees or contractors who provide mental and behavioral health services to do the following:
(A) Receive referrals for students who violate the disciplinary code;
(B) Receive referrals from a judge, juvenile referee, or magistrate for treatment as part of a diversion or disposition;
(C) Provide a mental or behavioral health assessment to the student;
(D) Provide ongoing services to the student if merited by the assessment;
(E) Contact the family and household members of the students;
(i) To obtain additional information about the student’s case; and
(ii) To offer services to family or household members;
(F) Provide services to family members and household members of the student; and
(G) Provide services to community members: Provided, That all students and students’ family members can be provided services first; and
(4) Bill and collect payment for services rendered from the insurance of families and community members, from the school, in the case of referral for behavior, or the Department of Health and Human Resources in the case of court order.
NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to require the State Department of Education to develop a pilot program to provide mental and behavioral health services as an alternative to suspending students for disruptive behaviors.
Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.
