Vermont House Bill H0818

Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/29/26
• Refer: 1/29/26

Caption

An act relating to mental health screening in schools

Impact

By instituting this screening program, the bill aims to enhance the mental well-being of students by proactively identifying mental health conditions that may affect their educational experience. Supervisory unions will be required to notify parents about the option for mental health screenings and obtain prior written consent before conducting any assessments. Additionally, this initiative mandates that those who participate in training for mental health screenings are granted immunity from civil or criminal liability, unless actions amount to negligence or intentional misconduct.

Summary

House Bill 818 seeks to establish a voluntary mental health screening program within Vermont schools, addressing an increasing concern for student mental health. The bill outlines the responsibilities of supervisory unions in providing and arranging mental health screening services that are age-appropriate and capable of identifying conditions that may require intervention. The program is to be developed in collaboration between the Agency of Education and the Department of Mental Health, ensuring that evidence-based screening services are upheld.

Contention

While advocates see the merit in improving student mental health resources, some concerns regarding privacy and the involvement of parental consent may emerge. The necessity for students to have their parents’ written consent prior to screening could lead to barriers for some students seeking help. The funding framework established, which allocates a portion of state funds to participating supervisory unions based on school population size, may also raise questions about the sufficiency of resources to meet the needs outlined in the program.