H.R. 1649 — Expanding Student Access to Mental Health Services Act

This section expands allowable activities under the Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants program to include additional mental health services as follows: (1) authorizes states to support local educational agencies (LEAs) in improving student mental health services, including identifying and disseminating best practices for mental health first aid, assisting with school emergency planning and response teams, establishing coordination agreements with local mental health agencies, and providing telehealth services; (2) requires LEAs, if applicable, to describe in grant applications how funds will be used for mental health services under ESEA sec. 4108; and (3) authorizes technology grants for improving mental health services and exempts related technology infrastructure from the program's nonsupplantation requirement. (As background, the program provides formula grants to states for suballocation primarily to LEAs to support well-rounded education, safe and healthy school environments, and effective technology use.)