AN ACT relating to child mental health.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Danny Carroll

SB 231 aims to improve access to pediatric mental health care in Kentucky through statutory reforms that support screening, identification, and coordinated treatment for children a

to Committee on Committees (S)

#childrenandminors #mentalhealth

Summary of SB 231 (2026 Regular Session, Kentucky)

Purpose and intent

SB 231 is an act relating to child mental health. It appears to be directed at improving access to mental health services for Kentucky children, with a focus on statutory changes that support identification, treatment, and coordination of care for youth with mental health needs. The bill has been introduced in the Kentucky Senate and referred to the Committee on Committees.

Key provisions and changes (as indicated by the bill’s title and scope)

The bill aims to address child mental health through statutory reform, potentially including:

Enhancement of screening, identification, and referral processes for pediatric mental health issues in schools, clinics, or community settings.
Provisions to support timely access to mental health services for children and adolescents.
Administrative or funding mechanisms to facilitate coordination among health care providers, schools, and state agencies involved in child mental health services.

Although specific text is not provided here, typical components of such legislation may involve:

Definitions related to “child,” “mental health,” and related service delivery terms.
Allocation or reallocation of state funding to mental health programs serving children.
Compliance requirements for entities receiving state dollars (e.g., schools, health providers) to implement best practices in child mental health care.
Data reporting or outcome tracking to monitor program effectiveness and reach.

Who would be affected

Children and adolescents receiving mental health services in Kentucky.

Families and caregivers seeking access to pediatric mental health care.

Public and private providers delivering child mental health services (pediatricians, child psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, school-based health services, and possibly school districts).

State and local agencies involved in health, education, and behavioral health programs (e.g., Departments of Education and Public Health, Medicaid/health authorities, and local school systems).

Procedural and timeline aspects

Status: Introduced in the Kentucky Senate on February 24, 2026, and referred to the Committee on Committees (S).

As of the provided information, the bill has not yet advanced to a full committee vote or floor debate, so specific amendments, fiscal notes, or sunset provisions are not available.

Typical next steps (not guaranteed but common for such bills):

Committee hearings and potential amendments.
Passage by the Senate and transmission to the Kentucky House of Representatives.
Floor votes, potential conference committee if amendments differ between chambers.
Enactment language, with any required regulatory or administrative rule updates.

Fiscal and implementation considerations (potential)

If the bill includes funding provisions, the state budget impact would be determined by appropriations or reallocation directives.

Implementation considerations may include program timelines for schools and health providers, training requirements, and data reporting systems to track outcomes.

Note: The exact substantive provisions, dollar figures, timelines, and implementation details will depend on the full text and any amendments adopted during the legislative process. Readers seeking precise requirements should consult the bill’s official text and any fiscal notes released by the legislature.