CHILD MENTAL HEALTH SCREENING

Creates the Universal Child Mental Health Screening Act. Requires universal mental health screening services to be administered to all children as early as possible, but no later than a child's first year in any secondary public or private education program or residential facility for children with disabilities, and periodically thereafter. Requires the Department of Public Health and the State Board of Education to jointly develop rules governing standards, procedures, techniques, and criteria for conducting and administering mental health screenings and to set standards for the training and qualifications of personnel to provide the services. Contains additional requirements for the Department in administering the program of mental health screening services. Provides that no child shall be required to submit to any test required by the Act if a parent or a guardian of the child objects on constitutional grounds and submits a written statement to the agency administering the mental health screening services. Creates the Children's Mental Health Services Advisory Committee to advise the Department in the implementation and administration of the mental health services program and in the development of rules pertaining to that program. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the State Board of Education shall reimburse school districts for any costs associated with providing mental health screenings as required by the Act. Effective immediately.