HB1179
To Create Child And Adolescent Mental Health Survey Programs In Schools And Childcare Facilities For Children From Birth To Nineteen Years Of Age.
Last Action (Jan. 21, 2025): WITHDRAWN BY AUTHOR
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AI-Generated Summary
House Bill 1179 establishes a framework for mental health survey programs in Arkansas public schools, private schools, and childcare facilities for children from birth to age nineteen. The bill requires these institutions to select and implement an evidence-based mental health survey program approved by the Department of Human Services (DHS) in consultation with the Department of Education. Participation in the survey requires prior written consent from a student's parent or guardian. If a survey indicates a potential mental health condition, the institution must notify the parent or guardian and provide information on available resources. The bill mandates annual training for personnel administering the surveys and grants civil immunity to employees acting in good faith. Additionally, the bill allows for the distribution of state funds, if appropriated, to assist families in accessing mental health resources that are not provided within the school setting.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries are children and adolescents who may receive early identification of mental health conditions through school or childcare-based screenings. Parents and guardians also benefit by receiving proactive information and potentially financial assistance to help connect their children with necessary professional mental health interventions. Educational and childcare institutions benefit from having a structured, state-approved, and evidence-based mechanism to address student well-being, supported by clear legal protections and potential state funding for resources.
Who Might Suffer?
Potentially, schools and childcare facilities could be negatively impacted by the administrative burden of selecting survey programs, obtaining approvals from the Department of Human Services, ensuring staff undergo annual training, and managing the compliance requirements associated with parental consent and data privacy. Additionally, critics might argue that such programs risk the privacy of sensitive student data or represent an overreach of the state into private family matters, potentially causing anxiety for families who prefer not to participate in institutional screening programs.
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