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SB 176

Relating to the provision of on-campus mental health services by a school district and reimbursement under Medicaid for certain services provided to eligible students.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by José Menéndez

SB 176 mandates Texas schools provide on-campus mental health services and enables Medicaid billing for eligible students to expand affordable mental health access.

Referred to Education K-16
#education--primary&secondary--general(i0230) #education--schooldistricts(i0220) #health&humanservicescommission(v0177) #humanservices--childservices(i0895) #humanservices--medicalassistance(i0905) #medicaid(s4885) #mentalhealth&substanceabuse(i0019) #minors--health&safety(i0533)
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Bill Summary · SB 176

Legislative bill overview

SB 176 requires Texas school districts to provide on-campus mental health services to students and establishes a framework for Medicaid reimbursement when those services are delivered to eligible students. The bill aims to improve access to mental health care by leveraging existing school infrastructure and federal funding mechanisms.

Why is this important

Mental health challenges among school-age children have increased significantly, yet many students lack access to affordable mental health services. By enabling schools to bill Medicaid for eligible students, the bill could reduce out-of-pocket costs for families while providing districts with revenue to support expanded mental health programs without entirely relying on local budgets.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation burden: School districts may face significant administrative costs and training requirements to establish compliant mental health programs, potentially straining smaller districts with limited resources
  • Medicaid reimbursement rates: If reimbursement rates are insufficient, districts might absorb substantial costs, or the financial incentive may not materialize as intended
  • Scope and standards: Unclear definitions of what "on-campus mental health services" entails could lead to inconsistent implementation across districts and questions about service quality and provider qualifications

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

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