School-linked behavioral health grants funding provided, and money appropriated.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Steve Gander

Allocates general fund grants in 2026–27 to expand school-linked behavioral health services, with a portion earmarked for families of children receiving SLBH support.

Introduction and first reading, referred to Human Services Finance and Policy

#appropriations #educationandeducationdepartment #humanservicesandhumanservicesdepartment

Purpose and Intent

HF 3985 proposes to allocate general fund resources to support school-linked behavioral health (SLBH) services. The bill authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to fund grants under Minnesota Statutes, section 245.4901. A subset of the funding is dedicated specifically to increase access to mental health and substance use disorder treatment and services for families of children who are receiving services through school-linked behavioral health providers.

Key Provisions

Appropriations for SLBH Grants: The bill appropriates an amount from the general fund to the Commissioner of Human Services in both fiscal years 2026 and 2027 for school-linked behavioral health grants (the exact dollar amounts are redacted in the version provided).

Targeted Use for Families: Of the total SLBH grant funds in each year, a specified portion is explicitly designated to support mental health and substance use disorder treatment and services for families of children who receive SLBH services. The precise monetary amounts earmarked for this family-focused purpose are not disclosed in the available text (shown as placeholders).

Administration: Grants are to be issued under Minnesota Statutes, section 245.4901, which governs school-linked behavioral health services (the bill references existing statutory authority for program structure and administration).

Effective Date: The act would take effect the day after final enactment.

Affected Parties and Impacts

Primary Beneficiaries: Children and youth receiving services through school-linked behavioral health providers and their families. The funding is intended to expand access to mental health and SUD (substance use disorder) treatment and related services.

State Agencies: Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) would administer the grants, allocate funds, and oversee compliance with SLBH program requirements.

Sectors Involved: Schools and school districts, healthcare providers delivering SLBH services, mental health and substance use treatment providers, and family support services.

Procedural and Timeline Details

Introduced and Referred: HF 3985 was introduced and referred to the Human Services Finance and Policy committee on March 5, 2026.

Effective Date: The act becomes effective the day after enactment, pending passage and signing into law.

Funding Timeline: The bill establishes two consecutive fiscal years (2026 and 2027) for SLBH grant funding, with an explicit allocation for family-focused services in each year.

Notes

The bill text provided uses placeholders for the exact dollar amounts. The final enacted version would specify the total appropriation for each fiscal year and the proportion dedicated to family services.

The bill aligns with ongoing state efforts to integrate behavioral health services with educational settings and to support families affected by youth mental health and SUD treatment needs.

If you would like, I can compare HF 3985 to current statute (245.4901) and draft a lay-friendly brief outlining how the proposed grants would interact with existing SLBH programs once the exact dollar figures are known.

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