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HB 5247

Establishing a pilot program to develop school-based mental and behavioral health services

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Sean Hornbuckle and 1 co-sponsor

West Virginia bill authorizes school-based mental health pilot program to provide counseling and behavioral services directly to students within participating districts.

To House Education
#education(k12)
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 5247

Legislative bill overview

HB 5247 establishes a pilot program in West Virginia schools to develop and deliver mental and behavioral health services directly to students. The bill authorizes participating school districts to create or expand school-based mental health infrastructure, likely including counseling, therapy, and crisis intervention resources. This represents an effort to integrate mental health support into the K-12 education system rather than relying solely on external providers.

Why is this important

Mental health challenges among school-age children have increased significantly, yet many students lack access to affordable care—particularly in rural areas like West Virginia. School-based services remove barriers like transportation and cost while allowing early intervention during formative years. The pilot structure allows the state to test effectiveness and scalability before broader implementation.

Potential points of contention

  • Funding mechanism unclear: The bill's current status doesn't specify how the pilot will be funded or which districts participate, raising questions about cost and equitable access across wealthy versus under-resourced areas
  • Licensure and staffing requirements: Debate may emerge over whether mental health professionals must be fully licensed clinicians or if paraprofessionals can deliver services, affecting quality and expense
  • Privacy and parental involvement: Disagreement may occur regarding what mental health issues trigger parental notification, student confidentiality expectations, and whether parents can opt their children out of services

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

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