An Act Regarding Behavioral Health Support For Students In Public Schools

LD 1398 sets new student-to-clinical mental health provider and student-to-school counselor ratios for Maine public schools, directly affecting all public schools in the state. The bill establishes a 350:1 ratio for clinical mental health providers starting in the 2026-2027 school year (tightening to 250:1 by 2028-2029) and a 250:1 ratio for school counselors starting in 2028-2029 for both elementary/middle and high schools. These ratios are defined as part of the formula used to calculate salary and benefit costs for school funding. The bill does not mandate immediate hiring but sets benchmarks that will influence future funding allocations for behavioral health support staff.