H 494 Massachusetts House · 193rd Legislature (2023-2024)

An Act providing for mental health professionals in public schools

This bill requires every public school district in Massachusetts to hire at least one full-time school psychologist and one full-time school social worker to support the mental health needs of K-12 students. The legislation outlines specific duties for these professionals, including conducting mental health assessments, providing therapy and crisis intervention, training school staff on behavioral strategies, and acting as a bridge between families, schools, and community resources. By amending state law, the measure mandates that these services be integrated into the daily operations of public schools to address a wide range of emotional, behavioral, and developmental challenges.
Bill status passed 3 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2023
Committee Review
Feb 2023
Senate Passage
Feb 2023
Governor
Introduced Feb 16, 2023 Last action May 20, 2024
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate. No roll call record of that vote is available.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
4
Key actions
1
Committee
1
Feb 16, 2023
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred
upper
Feb 16, 2023
Committee
Referred to the committee on Education
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Ryan Hamilton
Ryan Hamilton
DDemocratic
MA
15th Essex