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HB 2236

Establishing the mental health intervention team program in the Kansas department for aging and disability services in state statute and providing incentives for coordination between school districts, qualified schools and mental health intervention team providers.

2025-2026 Regular Session

Codifies MHIT to pair Kansas K–12 schools with community mental health providers, award grants and MOUs, expanding year‑round access to student behavioral health services.

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Bill Summary · HB 2236

Summary — HB 2236 (2025): Mental Health Intervention Team (MHIT) Program Act — Kansas

Status: Committee report recommending bill be passed by House Committee on Health & Human Services
Introduced: January 29, 2025

Main purpose

Codify in statute the Mental Health Intervention Team (MHIT) Program — a continuation and expansion of a pilot first created in 2018 — to increase access to behavioral health services for K–12 students by formalizing partnerships between school districts (including qualifying nonpublic schools) and community mental health providers, and by providing grant incentives for coordination.

Key provisions

  • Definitions: Establishes statutory definitions for KDADS (the Department), MHIT Provider (community mental health centers, local mental health clinics, federally qualified health centers, and other KDADS‑authorized providers), qualified nonpublic schools, school districts, and Secretary (KDADS).
  • Program purpose: Improve access to behavioral health services year‑round; identify and link students/families to statewide behavioral health resources; reduce competition for scarce specialized school mental health staff; and reduce access barriers.
  • Target population: Students K–12 in need of mental health support, with emphasis on children adjudicated in need of care or referred to Families First/Family Preservation programs.
  • Provider requirements: MHIT Providers must offer person‑centered outpatient services and be available to support students 24/7.
  • Oversight & administration:
    • KDADS administers and oversees the program; may appoint a MHIT Program Manager (subject to appropriation).
    • KDADS will establish application procedures, deadlines, and an application review committee (including MHIT provider and K‑12 education representatives).
    • School districts must apply annually to KDADS to establish or maintain an MHIT program and specify partnering MHIT Provider(s).
    • Approved partnerships require a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between each school district and each MHIT Provider; KDADS may set MOU standards and must approve MOUs.
    • KDADS may authorize additional provider categories and must notify existing providers if it does so.
  • Grants & funding:
    • Subject to appropriations, approved MHIT programs are eligible for program grants to school districts and pass‑through grants to MHIT Providers.
    • Pass‑through grant equals 35% of the program grant (paid to partnering MHIT Provider(s)).
    • Program grant for a district is principally calculated from the district’s salary and fringe costs for each school liaison.
    • KDADS may prorate allocations if funds are insufficient and may distribute grants in installments, advance, or reimbursement; grants require an approved MOU.
  • School liaison: Each school district must have an MHIT Program school liaison (KDADS may, in limited circumstances, allow the liaison to be employed by the MHIT Provider).
  • Governance: The bill creates a qualified school MHIT Board (representatives from applicable agencies) to oversee applications, funding proposals, resources, and to report program updates to the Legislature.

Who is affected

  • School districts and qualified nonpublic schools (participation by application)
  • K–12 students and families (particularly students involved with child welfare or in need of mental health supports)
  • MHIT Providers (community mental health centers, clinics, FQHCs, and other KDADS‑authorized providers)
  • KDADS (administration), Kansas State Department of Education, and related agencies (in advisory/board roles)

Fiscal impact and funding notes

  • The Division of the Budget fiscal note: KDADS, KDHE, and KSDE report no direct fiscal effect on their agencies from enactment.
  • Grants and program staff are subject to legislative appropriation. Grant calculations hinge on school liaison salary/fringe; 35% of each program grant is earmarked as a pass‑through to providers. KDADS may prorate if appropriations are insufficient.

Legislative timeline & procedure (selected)

  • Filed: Jan 29, 2025; First Reading Jan 21/29 (various chamber calendar actions)
  • Hearing: March 4, 2025 (House Health & Human Services)
  • Committee report recommending passage: March 7, 2025
  • Subsequent calendar and rules referrals through May 2025

For more detail, see the bill text and fiscal note produced by KDADS/Division of the Budget.

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

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