HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1489 FILED ON: 1/18/2023
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 3573
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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Marcus S. Vaughn
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act establishing a grant program to increase the presence of mental health counselors in schools.
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PETITION OF:
Name: | District/Address: | Date Added: |
Marcus S. Vaughn | 9th Norfolk | 1/18/2023 |
Bud L. Williams | 11th Hampden | 1/25/2023 |
Carol A. Doherty | 3rd Bristol | 2/2/2023 |
Colleen M. Garry | 36th Middlesex | 2/16/2023 |
Bruce E. Tarr | First Essex and Middlesex | 4/3/2023 |
Steven George Xiarhos | 5th Barnstable | 9/19/2023 |
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1489 FILED ON: 1/18/2023
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 3573
By Representative Vaughn of Wrentham, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3573) of Marcus S. Vaughn and others relative to establishing a grant program to increase the presence of mental health counselors in schools. Education. |
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
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An Act establishing a grant program to increase the presence of mental health counselors in schools.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
Chapter 71 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:-
Section 100. (a) There is hereby established a school mental health professional grant program for the purpose of increasing the number of mental health professionals employed by school districts in the commonwealth to provide mental health support to students.
(b) The department shall award school mental health professional grants to school districts that apply for grant funds in the form and manner set forth by the commissioner.
(c) Grant funds awarded pursuant to this section shall be used (i) to fund in part or in whole the salary of any mental health professional employed by the school district or (ii) to fund the cost of contracting with a third-party mental health service provider to provide mental health support to the students of the school district.
(d) The commissioner shall adopt regulations to implement this section, including, but not limited to, regulations related to any qualifications or certifications required of a mental health professional whose salary will be funded in part or in whole with grant funds awarded pursuant to this section.