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HB 710

Tennessee Higher Education Commission - As introduced, changes, from May 1 to June 1, the annual date before which the commission must publish the Tennessee postsecondary education fact book. - Amends TCA Title 49.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Scott Cepicky

HB 710 funds a 3-year pilot creating on-site Mental Health Crisis Units in up to eight local school districts, with trained staff and rapid response during school hours.

P2C, caption bill, held on desk - pending amdt.
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Bill Summary · HB 710

Summary — HB 710: Mental Health Crisis Unit Pilot for Local School Administrative Units

Status: Passed 1st Reading
Introduced: November 12, 2024
Subject areas: Education; Mental health; Emergency services; Appropriations; Local government

Purpose

HB 710 creates a three‑year pilot program to establish school‑based Mental Health Crisis Units (MHCUs) in participating local school administrative units (LSAUs). The goal is to provide rapid-response mental health resources to students and staff during school hours and to develop models for effective crisis response in K–12 settings.

Key provisions

  • Establishment: The State Board of Education shall establish the Mental Health Crisis Unit Pilot Program (the Program).
  • Participation and selection:
    • LSAUs submit applications to the Department of Public Instruction (DPI).
    • DPI will select up to eight LSAUs to participate.
    • Selection factors must include: (1) the LSAU’s current resource level, (2) expected overall impact on student mental health, and (3) history of sudden traumatic events in the district.
  • Funding:
    • Each selected LSAU receives $250,000 per fiscal year in which funds are made available to establish and operate at least one MHCU.
    • The act appropriates $2,000,000 recurring to DPI for FY 2025–2026 to implement the Program (enough for eight units at $250,000 each).
    • Funding language ties payments to years “in which funds are made available.”
  • Program duration and effective date:
    • Program begins with the 2025–2026 school year, runs for three years, and expires June 30, 2028.
    • Effective date in the bill: July 1, 2025.
  • Unit operations and staffing:
    • MHCUs must be available on call during school operating hours to provide rapid response to mental health emergencies.
    • When not responding to active incidents, units rotate among schools per local board schedule.
    • DPI, consulting with the Center for Safer Schools, will set standards and guidelines for development, operation, and staffing.
    • Minimum composition required for each MHCU: at least one school nurse; one school social worker; and one school counselor who is either a licensed clinical mental health counselor or a licensed clinical social worker.
  • Outreach and training:
    • Participating LSAUs must inform students and staff about available MHCUs and provide educational opportunities on their function and purpose.
  • Reporting and oversight:
    • No later than March 15 each year funds are available, the State Board of Education must report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee. Reports must at minimum list participating LSAUs and assess Program impact on student mental health and well‑being.

Who is affected

  • Directly: selected LSAUs, their students and staff, school nurses/social workers/counselors hired or assigned to the units.
  • Indirectly: DPI, State Board of Education, Center for Safer Schools, and state legislative oversight committees that will review annual reports.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Positives: Adds funded, staffed rapid‑response capacity for school mental health crises; creates pilot data to evaluate scalability; directs standardized guidelines and annual oversight.
  • Limits/constraints: Limited to up to eight LSAUs and contingent on annual appropriations; $250,000 per LSAU must cover staffing, operations, and rotation logistics; effectiveness depends on staffing availability and coordination with existing school and community services.

This summary focuses on the substantive program design, funding, staffing minimums, selection criteria, reporting requirements, and the pilot’s timeline.

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

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