An Act to repeal 20.255 (1) (et); to create 20.255 (1) (et) of the statutes; Relating to: implementing a behavioral health prevention pilot program and making an appropriation.
Summary
SB926 would direct the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to run a two-school-year pilot program in 2026-27 and 2027-28 giving at least 50,000 high school pupils access to an electronic, multicomponent behavioral health prevention tool. The tool would need to include online behavioral health education resources, peer-to-peer support, and private online sessions with mental health professionals. It also must be available as both a mobile app and web application, support English and Spanish, provide interpreter services for additional languages, and allow students to review and choose among mental health professionals.
The bill appropriates $3 million in general purpose revenue for 2026-27 and authorizes DPI to spend up to $1.5 million per school year to implement the pilot. DPI could also contract with a cooperative educational service agency to administer the program. The bill creates a new statutory appropriation for the pilot and then repeals that appropriation effective July 1, 2028, making the program temporary unless later extended or reenacted.
Impact
SB926 would amend Wisconsin statutes by creating and then later repealing a new appropriation under s. 20.255 (1) (et) for a behavioral health prevention pilot program. It would give DPI authority and funding to procure and administer an electronic behavioral health tool for high school students, with specified service, language-access, and platform requirements. The bill would affect DPI, potential vendor entities with experience in school-based behavioral health tools, cooperative educational service agencies, and high school pupils statewide.
Sentiment
The available record shows no committee transcript, vote tally, or recorded debate, so there is no documented floor or committee sentiment to summarize. Based on the bill text, the measure appears framed as a student mental health and prevention initiative with a targeted, temporary pilot structure and dedicated funding, suggesting a policy approach focused on testing a school-based behavioral health intervention before any broader rollout.
Contention
No specific points of contention are documented in the provided materials. Potential issues implied by the bill itself include the cost of the pilot, the use of state general purpose revenue, the requirement to serve a large number of students quickly, vendor selection and experience standards, and concerns about privacy, peer-chat moderation, and access to online mental health services for minors. Because there are no transcripts or votes, it is not possible to attribute these concerns to any particular legislator or stakeholder.
Crossfiled
An Act to repeal 20.255 (1) (et); to create 20.255 (1) (et) of the statutes; Relating to: implementing a behavioral health prevention pilot program and making an appropriation.
Making Appropriations To Provide For The Expenses Of The Legislature, The Auditor, The Legislative Reference Bureau, The Ombudsman, And The Ethics Commission.
Changes the name of "applied behavior assistant analyst" to "assistant applied behavior analyst" and makes several changes to provide consistency in the certification language for behavioral analysts.
Changes the name of "applied behavior assistant analyst" to "assistant applied behavior analyst" and makes several changes to provide consistency in the certification language for behavioral analysts.
Health: licensing; behavioral health transportation licensing requirements; provide for. Amends 1974 PA 258 (MCL 330.1001 - 330.2106) by adding ch. 9B. TIE BAR WITH: SB 0927'26
Health occupations: health professionals; limited license for certain individuals engaging in the practice of applied behavior analysis; provide for. Amends secs. 16343a, 18253 & 18257 of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.16343a et seq.).