SB120 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Rodger SmithermanSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Public K-12 education, State Department of Education required to develop a program to address the mental health of students (Tier II students) who are considered at-risk for developing inadequate social-behavioral skills, such as ADHD or anger management issues

Summary

SB120 would require the Alabama Department of Education to create a comprehensive mental health program for Tier II at-risk K-12 students and to mandate local districts to hire mental health service coordinators and implement a safe, supportive school framework.

What This Bill Does

The Department of Education would develop a program for Tier II students that includes ongoing teacher professional development, one-on-one or small group mental health consultations, and curricula to teach social-behavioral skills. It would guide districts to create safe and supportive school environments and require action plans and self-assessment tools to monitor progress and improve outcomes. Starting in 2022-23, local boards would hire mental health service coordinators and conduct needs assessments and resource maps, with oversight and support from state agencies, funded by appropriations.

Who It Affects

• Tier II public K-12 students who are considered at risk for developing inadequate social-behavioral skills (e.g., ADHD or anger management issues) and would receive targeted mental health supports and learning of social-behavioral skills.
• Local boards of education and their schools/districts, which would implement the safe and supportive school framework, hire mental health service coordinators, conduct needs assessments, develop action plans, and coordinate mental health resources with the Alabama Department of Mental Health.

Key Provisions

• The department must develop and implement a comprehensive program for Tier II students, including ongoing professional development and in-service training for teachers on recognizing signs of inadequate social-behavioral skills and using multi-tiered systems of support.
• The department must provide for one-on-one or small group mental health consultations for students, involving counselors, mental health specialists, behavior specialists, and family-focused interventions.
• The department must develop curricula on age-appropriate social skills to be taught in classrooms and strengthen parenting programs to support student development.
• The department must create a safe and supportive schools framework that guides districts to foster positive, healthy, inclusive environments and to integrate services like social-emotional learning, trauma sensitivity, and anti-bullying efforts.
• Starting in 2022-23, each local board of education must employ a mental health service coordinator with specified qualification options and must earn a school-based mental health certificate within one year of hire.
• Each local board must complete a needs assessment and resource map by the end of the 2022 fiscal year to plan improvements in mental health resources for Tier II students.
• Schools must use a self-assessment tool to evaluate capacity and identify areas needing action, then create and update district action plans with clear goals and timelines.
• State agencies will oversee evaluation and support of mental health services, with possible contracting partners; rules and policies will be adopted by the State Board of Education and the Alabama Department of Mental Health; funding is subject to appropriations.

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