Public Schools - School-Based Mental Health Services - Full-Time Therapist
HB0740 would require every public school in Maryland to employ a full-time therapist to provide school-based mental health services to students during the instructional day. The therapist would have to be licensed and certified by the State Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists. The bill amends Education Article § 7-401, which already addresses school health services, health education, and school health program coordination, by adding a new mandatory staffing requirement for mental health support in each school.
The bill would create a new statewide obligation for local school systems and county boards to ensure direct access to mental health services on campus during school hours. Because the requirement applies to each public school, it could affect staffing models, budgeting, hiring practices, and coordination with existing school health and counseling services. The bill is set to take effect July 1, 2026.
HB0740 would amend Maryland Education Article § 7-401 to add a new subsection requiring each public school to employ a full-time, licensed and certified therapist. This would expand current school health services law from general health-program requirements and coordination duties to a specific mandate for school-based mental health staffing. The practical effect would fall on county boards, which would need to hire or otherwise place qualified therapists in every public school and integrate those services into the school day.
Based on the available context, the bill appears to be presented as a student mental health support measure with no recorded opposition in the provided materials. The sponsors are multiple delegates, and the bill was assigned to the Ways and Means Committee, suggesting it was being considered as a school policy and funding-related proposal. No vote totals or committee testimony are provided, so the overall sentiment can only be characterized as generally supportive or at least not documented as controversial in the available record.
The main likely points of contention are implementation and cost. Requiring a full-time therapist in every public school could raise concerns about staffing shortages, certification availability, and the fiscal burden on local school systems and counties. Another possible issue is overlap with existing school counselors, psychologists, social workers, and health services staff, since the bill creates a new mandated position rather than expanding an existing program. No specific objections are included in the provided transcripts or votes, so these concerns are inferred from the bill’s requirements rather than documented debate.