“To support States and high-need local educational agencies in increasing the number of mental health services providers in schools.”
No CRS summary available for this bill.
This section cites the Act as the "Expanding Access to Mental Health Services in Schools Act of 2025" and sets forth its table of contents.
This section defines terms used in the Act, including "eligible agency" (i.e., a high-need local educational agency, an educational service agency acting on behalf of one or more high-need local educational agencies, or a State educational agency) and "high-need local educational agency" (i.e., a local educational agency that, as of the date of application, ranks among the highest 15 percent in the State—based on either the number or percentage of children counted under section 1124(c) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6333(c), i.e., children eligible for Title I-A basic grants)—and does not meet at least two of the following staffing ratios: (i) 1 full-time equivalent school counselor per 250 students, (ii) 1 full-time equivalent school psychologist per 500 students, or (iii) 1 full-time equivalent school social worker per 250 students). The section also incorporates definitions from section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 for terms such as child with a disability, English learner, local educational agency, and State educational agency; defines "Indian Tribe" with reference to the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 479a-1); and defines "school-based mental health services provider" with reference to section 4102 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7112).
This section establishes a competitive grant program to support eligible agencies in recruiting, hiring, retaining, and diversifying school-based mental health services providers in high-need local educational agencies (LEAs), thereby expanding access to such services for elementary and secondary school students. From amounts made available under subsection (g), the Secretary of Education reserves up to 2% for administration, technical assistance, and data collection; 1% for Bureau of Indian Education schools; and 1% for outlying areas based on relative need, awarding the remainder with at least 50% to high-need LEAs identified under section 3(3)(A)(i)-(ii), ensuring geographic diversity across urban, suburban, and rural areas, and prioritizing grants of sufficient size and scope. Grants are for up to 5 years, renewable for up to 2 years; require applications describing student mental health concerns, provider shortages, and plans, plus assurances of compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA; 20 U.S.C. 1232g), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.), and other laws; and authorize uses including hiring providers, evidence-based school climate practices, recruitment incentives (e.g., salary stipends, relocation benefits, loan repayment), and retention strategies (e.g., professional development, mentorship). Grantees must provide 25% non-Federal matching funds; use funds to supplement, not supplant, other funds; and submit annual public reports to the Secretary on provider employment numbers and increases, disaggregated by specified categories (subject to statistical reliability and privacy protections).
This section applies the requirements of section 4001 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7101)—which mandate prior informed parental consent for mental health assessments or services funded under the program and conducted in connection with elementary or secondary schools (with exceptions for emergencies or unaccompanied youth), prohibit use of funds for medical services or drug treatment except for specified student supports or referrals, and bar requiring prescriptions for controlled substances as a condition of receiving services or attending school—to state educational agencies, local educational agencies, or other entities receiving grants or subgrants under this Act.