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SB 244

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A TASK FORCE TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF REUSING OLD SCHOOLS AS REGIONAL MENTAL HEALTH CLINICS FOR MINORS.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Heather Somers

Connecticut task force studies converting vacant school buildings into regional mental health clinics for minors to expand youth mental health access and reuse public infrastructure.

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Public Health
#mentalhealthclinicsforchildren #schoolbuildingsandgrounds #taskforces
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Bill Summary · SB 244

Legislative bill overview

SB 244 establishes a task force in Connecticut to study whether vacant or underutilized school buildings can be repurposed as regional mental health clinics specifically serving minors. The task force would examine feasibility, cost implications, operational requirements, and implementation strategies for converting these existing facilities into youth mental health centers.

Why is this important

Connecticut faces both a shortage of youth mental health services and vacant school buildings following enrollment declines. Repurposing existing infrastructure could address mental health access gaps for minors while reducing waste of public assets. This approach could be more cost-effective than building new facilities while providing geographically distributed care access.

Potential points of contention

  • School district budgets and asset control: School buildings represent valuable district assets; conversion could create disputes over who controls the facility and how districts are compensated or lose revenue from potential alternative uses
  • Service coordination complexity: Mental health clinics require different staffing, licensing, and operational protocols than schools; managing transitions and ongoing partnerships between education and health systems could face practical and bureaucratic obstacles
  • Geographic mismatch: Closed school buildings may not be located in areas with highest youth mental health need, limiting the solution's real-world effectiveness in underserved communities

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

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