Student mental health grant funding provided, and money appropriated.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mary Clardy and 1 co-sponsor

HF 4198 would provide state-funded grants and appropriations to expand student mental health supports in Minnesota schools.

Author added Clardy

#appropriations #education-k-12 #mentalhealthandrelatedconditions #students

Purpose and Intent

HF 4198 seeks to provide student mental health grant funding and to appropriate accompanying dollars to support mental health services for students. The bill appears to focus on increasing state investment in mental health resources within educational settings, aiming to improve access to mental health supports for students across Minnesota.

Key Provisions and Changes

Grant Funding for Student Mental Health: The bill authorizes the creation or deployment of grants dedicated to student mental health. These grants are intended to support programs, services, or initiatives that address the mental health needs of students in schools.

Appropriations: The measure includes an appropriation (i.e., a dedicated funding amount) for the mental health grants. The exact dollar figure and fiscal details would be specified in the bill’s formal text, including how funds are allocated and disbursed.

Program Scope (likely): While the bill text is not provided here, typical elements in similar bills include:

Eligibility criteria for school districts, charter schools, or other education providers.
Permissible uses of grant funds (e.g., school-based mental health professionals, student wellness programs, prevention and early intervention services, professional development for staff).
Metrics or reporting requirements to monitor outcomes and ensure accountability.
Duration of funding (e.g., one-time vs. multi-year grants) and renewal processes.

Who is Affected

Primary Beneficiaries: School districts, charter schools, and other recognized educational providers that meet eligibility criteria for the grants.

Students: Minnesota students who would receive enhanced mental health supports through funded programs and services.

Educators and Staff: Schools may use funds for mental health professionals, training, and student supports that impact teachers, counselors, and administrators.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Introduction and Referral: HF 4198 was introduced and referred to the Education Finance committee (as of March 12, 2026).

Author and Sponsorship: Co-authors include Mary Clardy and Cheryl Youakim, with Clardy added as an author on March 26, 2026.

Next Steps: The bill would proceed through the Education Finance committee, potentially advancing to further committee stages, floor debates, and votes, depending on committee and chamber considerations.

Considerations for Review

The exact dollar amounts, program requirements, match requirements (if any), reporting expectations, and sunset/renewal provisions are not specified in the summary provided. A detailed reading of the bill text would clarify:

Total funding level and allocation method (formula-based vs. competitive grants).
Eligible applicants and any priority populations or districts.
Oversight, accountability measures, and data collection.
Long-term sustainability and any impact on general state education funding.

Bottom Line

HF 4198 proposes state-funded grants aimed at enhancing student mental health supports within Minnesota schools, accompanied by an appropriation to fund these efforts. The bill is currently in early-stage consideration within the Education Finance committee, with potential impacts on districts, students, and school personnel pending detailed statutory language.

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