SB223 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Rodger SmithermanSenator

Democrat

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

This bill would require every local school system in Alabama to hire a mental health service coordinator to oversee student mental health services, with funding and oversight provided by the state and subject to appropriation.

What This Bill Does

Starting in the 2021-2022 school year, each local board of education must hire a mental health service coordinator to coordinate student mental health services across the district. Coordinators must meet specified qualifications (such as a bachelor’s degree in social work, or qualifications for school counselor or nurse, or licensed/experienced in mental health) and must earn a school-based mental health certificate within one year of hire. By the end of the 2021 fiscal year, boards must complete and submit a needs assessment and resource map to the Department of Mental Health, documenting mental health status and guiding quality improvement. The Alabama Department of Mental Health and the State Department of Education will oversee implementation and may adopt rules; funding is subject to legislative appropriations.

Who It Affects

• Local boards of education/school systems: must hire coordinators, complete needs assessments and resource maps, and operate under funding availability
• Students in K-12 within those systems: will receive coordinated mental health services and ongoing support

Key Provisions

• Require local boards of education to employ a mental health service coordinator beginning with the 2021-2022 school year
• Set minimum and supplemental qualifications for coordinators (bachelor's in social work; or school counselor or nurse qualifications; or professional/licensed mental health experience; or other DMH/SDE-approved qualifications)
• Mandate coordinators earn a school-based mental health certificate within one year of hire via a DMH certification program
• Require boards to complete and submit a needs assessment and resource map to the DMH by the end of the 2021 fiscal year
• Authorize DMH and SDE to adopt rules and policies and make implementation subject to appropriations

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education