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Bill

HF 665

A bill for an act relating to mental health services at public institutions of higher education.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Sean Bagniewski and 13 co-sponsors

Bill HF 665 enhances mental health services at public colleges by integrating awareness in courses, providing resources, and implementing online screening tools for students.

Introduced, referred to Higher Education.
#collegesanduniversities #mentalhealth
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Bill Summary · HF 665

Summary of Bill HF 665

Purpose and Intent

Bill HF 665 aims to enhance mental health services at public institutions of higher education. The legislation seeks to promote mental health awareness, provide accessible resources, and implement screening tools to support students' mental well-being.

Key Provisions

The bill includes several important provisions designed to improve mental health services:

  1. Integration of Mental Health Awareness in Coursework:

    • Institutions are required to assess existing courses and seminars to integrate mental health awareness curricula where feasible.

  2. Information Accessibility:

    • Public institutions must publish dedicated information on their websites or mobile applications regarding mental health resources available to students and in the surrounding community.

  3. Encouragement of Help-Seeking Behavior:

    • During high-stress periods, such as midterms and finals, institutions must distribute messages related to mental health resources that promote help-seeking behavior. This includes stigma-reducing strategies based on best practices.

  4. Implementation of Online Screening Tools:

    • Three years after the bill's effective date, institutions must implement an online screening tool to raise awareness and connect students to mental health services. This tool will:
      • Include validated screenings for various mental health conditions (e.g., depression, anxiety disorders, substance use disorders).
      • Provide immediate connections to services, including emergency resources.
      • Offer general information about available mental health resources.
      • Function anonymously to protect student privacy.

  5. Regular Information Dissemination:

    • Institutions are required to provide information about online mental health screenings at least once per academic term and during high-stress periods.

Affected Parties

The bill primarily affects:
- Students at public institutions of higher education, who will benefit from improved access to mental health resources and support.
- Educational Institutions, which will need to implement the provisions outlined in the bill, potentially requiring additional training and resources.

Procedural Aspects

  • Introduced: February 28, 2025
  • Current Status: The bill has been introduced and referred to the Higher Education committee for further consideration.

Conclusion

HF 665 represents a significant step towards addressing mental health issues in higher education by mandating the integration of mental health awareness into academic settings and providing essential resources for students. If enacted, it could lead to improved mental health outcomes for students across public institutions.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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