HF 2275 (LSB 6222YH (2) 90)

HOUSE FILE 2275

BY  MADISON and STAED

A BILL FOR

An Act providing for behavioral health resource coordinators in middle and high schools.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  NEW SECTION.  280.36  Coordination of behavioral health resources.
   1.  The board of directors of a school district and the authorities in charge of each accredited nonpublic school that is a middle or high school shall designate an employee of each middle school and high school as a behavioral health resource coordinator for the school.
   2.  The duties of a behavioral health resource coordinator shall include but are not limited to the following:
   a.  Providing information to students and school employees regarding mental health resources available at the school.
   b.  At the direction of the board or authorities, overseeing and serving as a point of contact for any activities or initiatives to improve or provide access to mental health resources to students and school employees at the school, including but not limited to activities authorized by chapter 280A; employee training opportunities relating to mental health, including but not limited to training required by section 279.70; and any other state, local, or school activities or initiatives.
   3.  Area education agencies and the department of education shall provide assistance to behavioral health resource coordinators in carrying out the duties provided in this section and disseminate best practices regarding mental health resources to behavioral health resource coordinators on a statewide basis.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill requires a school board and the authorities in charge of an accredited nonpublic school that is a middle or high school to designate an employee of each middle school and high school as a behavioral health resource coordinator for the school.
   The bill provides duties of behavioral health resource coordinators, including but not limited to providing information to students and school employees regarding mental health resources available at the school and overseeing and serving as a point of contact for any activities or initiatives to improve or provide access to mental health resources to students and school employees at the school.
   The bill requires area education agencies and the department of education to provide assistance to behavioral health resource coordinators in carrying out their duties and disseminate best practices regarding mental health resources to behavioral health resource coordinators on a statewide basis.