SB306 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

SB306 would require every Alabama local school system to hire a mental health service coordinator to manage student mental health resources, with oversight from state agencies.

What This Bill Does

Starting with the 2023-2024 school year, each local board must employ a mental health service coordinator, subject to funding provided by the Legislature. The coordinator must meet specified qualifications (bachelor's in social work, or qualifications for a school counselor or nurse, or professional mental health experience or licensure; other qualifications may be set 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 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 identify current mental health status and guide improvement, with the Alabama Department of Mental Health and the State Department of Education providing ongoing evaluation and support. The act becomes effective after passage and governor approval, contingent on appropriations.

Who It Affects

• Local boards of education and school systems in Alabama must hire a mental health service coordinator and conduct needs assessments.
• Students in K-12 will benefit from more coordinated access to mental health services and resources.

Key Provisions

• Beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, each local board of education must employ a mental health service coordinator, subject to legislative appropriations.
• Coordinator qualifications include: (1) bachelor's degree in social work; (2) meeting state qualifications for a school counselor; (3) meeting state qualifications for a school nurse; (4) professional mental health experience or licensure (e.g., licensed professional counselor, marriage and family therapist); or (5) other qualifications determined by ADMH and SDE.
• Within one year of hiring, the coordinator must earn a school-based mental health certificate through a program developed by the Alabama Department of Mental Health.
• Local boards must, by the specified deadline, complete and submit a needs assessment and resource map for their schools to document mental health status and guide quality improvement.
• The Alabama Department of Mental Health and the State Department of Education may adopt rules and policies to implement the act, and administration is subject to appropriations.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after its passage and governor approval.

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