HB1179
To Create Child And Adolescent Mental Health Survey Programs In Schools And Childcare Facilities For Children From Birth To Nineteen Years Of Age.
AI-Generated Summary
This bill proposes the creation of child and adolescent mental health survey programs in Arkansas schools and childcare facilities. The initiative aims to improve mental healthcare quality and access for individuals from birth to 19 years of age, striving for optimal mental health outcomes. Public schools, open enrollment charter schools, private schools, and childcare facilities would be required to implement these surveys using approved, evidence-based programs. The Department of Human Services, in consultation with the Department of Education, would establish the process for approving survey programs and define guidelines for accessing and using student mental health survey data, adhering to federal privacy laws. Facilities and their personnel would be required to undergo annual training on administering these surveys. Prior written consent from parents or guardians is mandated before a survey is administered. If a survey indicates a potential mental health condition, parents or guardians must be notified of the results and available resources. The bill also outlines provisions for potential financial assistance to parents or guardians for resources not provided by school professionals, contingent on appropriated funds. Employees acting in good faith while administering the surveys would be protected from civil liability.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries of this bill would be children and adolescents aged birth to 19 in Arkansas, along with their parents and guardians. Schools and childcare facilities would benefit from a structured framework and potential support for implementing mental health surveys. Mental health professionals and organizations that partner with these facilities could see increased referrals and engagement. The state, through the Departments of Human Services and Education, would establish a system for identifying and addressing mental health needs in young populations.
Who Might Suffer?
Potential negative impacts could be borne by school and childcare facility administrators and staff who would be responsible for implementing and administering the surveys, including obtaining consent and providing notifications. There might be increased administrative burdens and a need for training. Parents or guardians could experience a perceived increase in privacy concerns related to their child's mental health data, despite existing privacy protections. If funding is not adequately appropriated, the financial assistance provisions for parents or guardians could be a source of disappointment or unmet needs. While the bill aims to prevent liability for employees acting in good faith, unforeseen challenges in implementation could still arise.