Bill
SB 1560
Schools will implement universal annual mental health screenings for grades 3–12 starting 2027–28, contingent on a free, self-report screening tool.
Status: Enacted as Public Act 104-0032; Governor approved July 31, 2025; effective date January 1, 2026.
Summary
This act amends Illinois law to (1) accelerate statewide efforts to implement universal school-based mental health screening, (2) require hospitals and the Department of Human Services to promote BEACON (a centralized youth behavioral‑health portal) through training and notification practices, and (3) change certain Medicaid/children’s mental‑health program administration provisions.
Key purposes and intent
- Promote early identification of student mental‑health needs through universal, phased screening in schools.
- Increase hospital staff awareness and family use of BEACON as a central resource and referral portal for children's behavioral‑health services.
- Strengthen procedural requirements for screening/assessment tied to Medicaid‑funded inpatient psychiatric admissions for youth and clarify administration of Individual Care Grant functions.
Major provisions and changes
School Code (mental health screenings, 105 ILCS 5/2‑3.203)
- State Board of Education (SBE), in consultation with the Children's Behavioral Health Transformation Team and Governor’s Office, must produce materials and phased implementation guidance:
- Initial landscape/report deadlines (already required): Dec 15, 2023; strategy tool by Oct 1, 2024; report on district readiness by April 1, 2025.
- By Sept 1, 2026: make available resource materials and model district procedures (including opt‑out option, confidentiality/privacy, family/community communication, data sharing/storage, and plans for follow‑up/linkage to resources), list recommended screening tools and associated training, and post resources on the SBE website.
- Beginning with the 2027–2028 school year, districts must offer mental‑health screenings at least once per year to students in grades 3–12.
- Implementation is contingent on the State procuring a screening tool that (a) offers a self‑report option and (b) is provided to districts at no cost.
- Districts may apply to SBE for an extension of the 2027–28 implementation deadline under rules based on the SBE’s phased‑approach recommendations.
Interagency Children’s Behavioral Health Services Act / BEACON (new and amended provisions)
- Department of Human Services (DHS), coordinating with a statewide hospital association, must develop and post a voluntary recorded training for hospital social workers, clinicians and admin staff on BEACON — how to access it, case workflow after entry, and programs accessible through BEACON — to encourage referral and family engagement.
- Psychiatric hospitals must contact the youth (or parent/guardian/caregiver) about the BEACON portal prior to referring a youth to DCFS when a youth is held at the hospital beyond medical necessity.
Illinois Public Aid Code (305 ILCS 5/5‑5.23)
- Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS), by rule, must require screening and assessment of a child before any Medicaid‑funded inpatient psychiatric admission, including evaluation of outpatient alternatives, and establish payment methods/standards for those screenings/assessments and alternatives.
- HFS must, to the extent allowable under federal law, seek federal financial participation for Individual Care Grant expenditures tied to the Medicaid optional service (Section 1905(h)) and may administer Individual Care Grants as authorized under the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. HFS will coordinate with DCFS and the Division of Mental Health (DHS) to implement these provisions.
Who is affected
- Public school districts, administrators, school staff and students (grades 3–12 targeted for annual screening).
- State Board of Education (rulemaking, guidance, resource publication).
- Department of Human Services and Department of Healthcare & Family Services (training, program administration, Medicaid coordination).
- Hospitals and hospital staff (training and BEACON notification duties).
- Families, youth, mental‑health providers, DCFS (referral/notification changes).
- Districts reliant on procurement and State provision of a free self‑report screening tool.
Procedural/timeline notes
- Key deliverables: SBE resources due Sept 1, 2026; screenings to be offered starting 2027–2028 school year, contingent on tool procurement and free availability.
- Act effective January 1, 2026.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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