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
Ryan Hamilton
DDemocratic
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