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Bill

H 595

An Act providing for mental health professionals in public schools

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Ryan Hamilton

Require every public school district to hire at least one full-time psychologist and one full-time social worker to provide K–12 mental health services.

Hearing scheduled for 07/21/2025 from 11:00 AM-05:00 PM in Gardner Auditorium
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Bill Summary · H 595

Summary: Massachusetts H.595 – An Act providing for mental health professionals in public schools

Overview

  • Purpose: Require every public school district to provide dedicated mental health professionals in K–12 schools to deliver comprehensive mental health services to all students.
  • Introduced: February 27, 2025
  • Status: Hearing scheduled for July 21, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM in Gardner Auditorium
  • Related measures: Similar matter previously filed in 2023-2024 (HD 494)

What the bill would do

  • Substantive change: Amend Chapter 71 of the General Laws by adding new Section 53A½.
  • Staffing requirement: Each school district must appoint at least one full-time school psychologist and at least one full-time school social worker to provide mental health services to all students in public schools, grades K–12.
  • Scope of services:
    • School Psychologist (K–12):
    • Conduct evaluations, screenings, and assessments to determine students’ mental health and well-being.
    • Inform parents/guardians, students, and teachers about a student’s mental health condition.
    • Address identified mental health needs and provide interventions and services as needed.
    • Train and support school personnel in responses to students’ mental health needs.
    • Make recommendations regarding the mental health aspects of the school environment and dissemination of mental health information.
    • School Social Worker (K–12):
    • Conduct assessments and psychosocial intervention plans to address mental, social, emotional, behavioral, developmental, and related disorders.
    • Diagnose within a psychosocial framework and interpret psychosocial tests and measures.
    • Develop and implement treatment plans and provide crisis and short-/long-term psychotherapy as needed.
    • Serve as a liaison among parents, students, the school, and the community.
    • Instruct staff on interventions and respond to students’ mental health needs.
    • Make recommendations about the school’s mental health environment and information dissemination.
  • Administration and oversight: The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) must promulgate regulations to implement the section.

Who is affected

  • Public school districts and their K–12 schools.
  • Students and their families/guardians.
  • School personnel, teachers, and administrators.
  • DESE (through rulemaking and implementation).

Implementation and timeline

  • Legislative history:
    • Filed/introduced: January 16, 2025 (House Docket No. 2907; House No. 595)
    • Referred to the House Committee on Education: February 27, 2025
    • Senate concurrence noted in the legislative actions
  • Current action: Hearing scheduled for July 21, 2025 (Gardner Auditorium, 11:00 AM–5:00 PM)
  • Ongoing process: If enacted, DESE would issue regulations to carry out the statute.

Financial and operational considerations

  • The bill text does not specify funding or implementation costs.
  • Implementation would require districts to recruit and staff full-time psychologists and social workers, with associated salary, benefits, and administrative costs.
  • Regulations would shape deployment, qualifications, and standards for services.

Potential impacts

  • Increased access to school-based mental health services for all students.
  • Systematic identification, treatment, and prevention of mental health issues in schools.
  • Enhanced collaboration among families, school staff, and community resources.
  • Possible fiscal and logistical adjustments for districts to hire qualified professionals and provide ongoing training.

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

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