SB266 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Rodger SmithermanSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2022

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

SB266 would require every local school system in Alabama to hire a mental health service coordinator, establish coordinator qualifications and training, and have state agencies support and evaluate school mental health services, all subject to funding.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, starting in the 2023-2024 school year, each local board of education must hire a mental health service coordinator to oversee student mental health services. Coordinators must meet specific qualifications and, within a year of hiring, obtain a school-based mental health certificate from a program developed by the Alabama Department of Mental Health. Local boards must submit a needs assessment and resource map for mental health resources by the end of the 2021 fiscal year and as requested thereafter to guide quality improvements. The Alabama Department of Mental Health and the State Department of Education would provide ongoing evaluation and support, and may adopt rules to implement the bill. All of this is subject to funding appropriations by the Legislature.

Who It Affects

• Local boards of education/districts: must hire a mental health service coordinator starting 2023-2024 and conduct needs assessments/resource mapping to guide mental health services, subject to funding.
• Students in K-12: will receive coordinated mental health services across their district, with ongoing evaluation and support from state agencies to improve resources.

Key Provisions

• Commences in the 2023-2024 school year; every local board of education must employ a mental health service coordinator to coordinate student mental health services.
• Coordinator qualifications include: a bachelor's in social work; or meet Alabama Department of Education qualifications for a school counselor or school nurse; or have professional mental health experience or licensure in a mental health field; or other qualifications determined by the Alabama Department of Mental Health and the State Department of Education.
• Within one year of hire, the coordinator must earn a school-based mental health certificate through a certification program developed by the Alabama Department of Mental Health.
• Local boards must submit to the Alabama Department of Mental Health a needs assessment and resource map documenting the mental health status of their entire school system, by the last day of the 2021 fiscal year and as requested thereafter.
• The Alabama Department of Mental Health and the State Department of Education may adopt rules/policies and will oversee ongoing evaluation and support of mental health services in schools; implementation is subject to legislative 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