Requires two qualified psychiatrists to be employed by each school district

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jo Anne Simon

A3610 requires every school district to hire two qualified psychiatrists to provide in-district mental health services, expanding access but increasing district costs.

REFERRED TO EDUCATION

Summary: Assembly Bill A 3610 – Requires two qualified psychiatrists to be employed by each school district

Purpose and scope

A 3610 would mandate that every school district employ two psychiatrists who meet the qualifications specified in the bill. The underlying aim is to ensure access to psychiatric services for students within each district, supporting mental health assessment, treatment, and related services as defined by the bill.

Key provisions

Each school district must employ two psychiatrists who are considered “qualified” under the bill’s definitions.

The bill defines what constitutes “qualified,” including the licensure, certification, or other credentials required for psychiatrists to be eligible for employment under the statute (the exact definitions are not provided in the summary).

The bill would likely specify duties or services to be provided by the psychiatrists within the district (e.g., clinical assessments, treatment planning, collaboration with schools and families). The precise scope of services and reporting requirements would be defined in the bill’s text.

Funding, if addressed, would outline how districts are to finance the additional positions (e.g., state aid, grants, or district funds). The current summary does not specify funding mechanisms.

Implementation timeline or phasing is not detailed in the available information.

Who would be affected

All school districts, which would be required to hire two psychiatrists each.

Students and families who would gain access to in-district psychiatric services.

District administrators and school personnel who would coordinate with the psychiatrists.

Mental health professionals and licensing bodies involved in credentialing and oversight.

Procedural/status notes

Introduced: January 29, 2025.

Status: Referred to the Assembly Education Committee (REFERRAL TO EDUCATION).

Legislative actions to date: 2025-01-29: REFERRED TO EDUCATION.

Related/companion measures:

A 5475, A 2345, A 7877 (prior-session bills)
S 2288 (companion Senate bill; listed twice in the related bills)

Potential impacts and considerations

Access: Potentially expanded in-district access to psychiatric services for students.

Costs: Significant fiscal impact on districts, with implications for budgets, staffing, and potential funding sources.

Workforce: Could affect the supply and distribution of psychiatrists willing to work in school settings; may require recruitment, incentives, or retraining.

Implementation: The bill’s definitions of “qualified,” service scope, and enforcement would determine practical challenges and compliance timelines.

If you’d like, I can compare A 3610 to its related bills (A 5475, A 2345, A 7877, S 2288) to highlight similarities, differences, and alignment in policy goals.