Pupil health: social-emotional, behavioral, and mental health supports., the official text

An act to add Section 41491 to the Education Code, relating to pupil health.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

Existing law requires the governing board of a school district to give diligent care to the health and physical development of pupils and authorizes the governing board of a school district to employ properly certified persons for this purpose. Existing law requires a school of a school district or county office of education and a charter school to notify pupils and parents or guardians of pupils no less than twice during the school year on how to initiate access to available pupil mental health services on campus or in the community, or both, as provided.
This bill would require, on or before July 1, 2027, the State Department of Education to enter into a contract with one or more local educational agencies with capacity and established expertise, as provided, to serve as lead entities in providing support for the implementation of integrated, universal social-emotional learning, behavioral health, and restorative practices for pupils in kindergarten and grades 1 to 12, inclusive. The bill would require, on or before January 1, 2028, the lead entities, selected pursuant to a competitive process, to make available guidance, resources, and technical assistance to local educational agencies to expand the statewide implementation of integrated, universal social-emotional learning, behavioral health, and restorative practices, as provided. The bill would make the implementation of these provisions contingent upon an appropriation, as provided.

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a) Social and emotional learning is a critical component of student well-being, academic success, and long-term public safety.
(b) The California Department of Education has established “California’s Social and Emotional Learning Guiding Principles” that emphasize trauma-informed, evidence-based approaches to teaching and learning.
(c) Tier 1 supports, including universal prevention, early intervention, and positive behavioral strategies, are effective in promoting mental health and reducing later system involvement.
(d) Schools are uniquely positioned to provide consistent, preventive supports to children and youth before mental health challenges escalate.
(e) The Legislature has already appropriated funds to support children and youth behavioral health initiatives and intends for those funds to be used efficiently and equitably.

SEC. 2.
Section 41491 is added to the Education Code, immediately following Section 41490, to read:
41491.
(a) On or before July 1, 2027, the department shall enter into a contract with one or more local educational agencies, which shall have capacity and established expertise in providing resources, technical assistance, and training to local educational agencies, to serve as lead entities in providing support for the implementation of integrated, universal social-emotional learning, behavioral health, and restorative practices for pupils in kindergarten and grades 1 to 12, inclusive.
(b) On or before January 1, 2028, the local educational agencies selected by the department, pursuant to a competitive process to be lead entities, as described in subdivision (a), shall make available guidance, resources, and technical assistance to local educational agencies to expand the statewide implementation of integrated, universal social-emotional learning, behavioral health, and restorative practices to meet the needs of pupils in their school communities.
(c) The lead entities shall ensure that guidance, resources, and technical assistance provided pursuant to subdivision (b) are equity focused and include trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices as part of a comprehensive multitiered system of supports.
(d) For purposes of this section, “local educational agency” means a school district, county office of education, or charter school.
(e) Implementation of this section shall be contingent upon an appropriation of funds for purposes of this section in the annual Budget Act or another statute.