FISCAL NOTE

Senate Bill 51 as introduced could increase the obligations of local boards of education to: (1) commencing with the 2022-2023 school year, employ a mental health service coordinator to coordinate student mental health services throughout each school system; however, this is subject to appropriation by the Legislature; and (2) provide a needs assessment and resource map to the Department of Mental Health (ADMH). The amount of the increased obligations to the local boards of education would be dependent upon the compensation of the mental health service coordinators. Based on information provided by the State Department of Education (SDE), there are 114 local education agencies that have been awarded grants in the amount of $40,000 to expand school-based mental health initiatives.

In addition, this bill would increase the obligations of the ADMH by an undetermined amount to create a certification program to certify mental health service coordinators within one year of being hired.

The Governor’s FY 2023 Recommended Education Trust Fund budget includes: (1) an appropriation of $10.08 million to the SDE for the School Safety Security and Climate Program, of which $4.53 million is earmarked for School-Based Mental Health Service Coordinators to provide grants to each local education agency to expand school-based mental health initiatives; and (2) an appropriation of $3.5 million to the ADMH for School-Based Mental Health Services Collaboration.