HB341 Alabama 2020 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Nathaniel LedbetterRepresentative
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2020
Title: Education, K-12, mental health service coordinator for each school system, subject to Legislative appropriation, Dept. of Mental Health and State Department of Education duties specified, qualifications provided
Summary: HB341 requires every Alabama local school system to hire a mental health service coordinator and outlines qualifications, duties, and state agency roles to improve student mental health services, contingent on funding.
What This Bill Does
It would require each local board of education to hire a mental health service coordinator for coordinating student mental health services starting in the 2021-2022 school year, subject to legislative funding. Coordinators must meet specified qualifications and, within one year of hire, earn a school-based mental health certificate through a program developed by the Alabama Department of Mental Health. Local boards must complete and submit a needs assessment and resource map for their schools to the Department of Mental Health to guide quality improvements. The Alabama Department of Mental Health and the State Department of Education would oversee implementation and may adopt rules to support the program.

Who It Affects
Local boards of education: must hire mental health service coordinators, conduct needs assessments, and manage implementation, all subject to funding.
Students in K-12: should receive coordinated mental health services through the new coordinators and improved resources.
Mental health service coordinators: must meet specific qualifications and obtain a school-based mental health certificate within one year.
Alabama Department of Mental Health and State Department of Education: oversee program requirements, develop certification, and adopt implementing rules.

Key Provisions
Local boards must employ a mental health service coordinator beginning with the 2021-2022 school year, subject to legislative appropriations.
Coordinator qualifications include: a bachelor's in social work; DOE qualifications for a school counselor or school nurse; professional mental health experience or licensure (e.g., LPC, LMFT); or other qualifications approved by ADMH and SDE.
Within one year of hire, coordinators must earn a school-based mental health certificate through a certification program developed by the Alabama Department of Mental Health.
Boards must complete and submit a needs assessment and resource map for their schools to the Alabama Department of Mental Health by the end of the 2021 fiscal year and as requested thereafter to guide improvements.
ADMH and SDE may adopt rules and policies necessary to implement the act, and funding is required for the act to take effect.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Education