Pennsylvania HB 2486: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in terms and courses of study, providing for student mental health supports.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 3358
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 2486
Session of
2026
INTRODUCED BY N. NELSON, HILL-EVANS, GUZMAN, RIVERA, K. HARRIS,
GUENST, CERRATO, SANCHEZ, CEPEDA-FREYTIZ AND GREEN,
MAY 5, 2026
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, MAY 6, 2026
AN ACT
Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
act relating to the public school system, including certain
provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
laws relating thereto," in terms and courses of study,
providing for student mental health supports.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding a
section to read:
Section 1535. Student Mental Health Supports.--(a)
Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, each school entity
shall:
(1) Adopt a comprehensive student mental health support
policy consistent with subsection (c), inform each school entity
employe and the parent or legal guardian of each student
enrolled in the school entity of the policy and post the policy
on the school entity's publicly accessible Internet website. The
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policy adopted by a school entity under this paragraph may be
based upon the model policy developed by the department under
subsection (b)(1).
(2) Include in the professional development plan submitted
by the school entity to the secretary for approval pursuant to
section 1205.1 four (4) hours of training in comprehensive
student mental health support every five (5) years for
professional educators in school buildings serving students in
grades six through twelve. The following shall apply:
(i) Training under this paragraph may be used to satisfy a
professional educator's continuing professional education
requirement under section 1205.2.
(ii) A school entity may use the materials made available by
the department under subsection (b)(2) to conduct the training.
(b) The department shall:
(1) Develop, in consultation with a youth mental health
organization operating in this Commonwealth, a model student
mental health support policy which shall be consistent with
subsection (c).
(2) Compile, develop and post on its publicly accessible
Internet website the following, which may include materials
already publicly available:
(i) Recommended guidelines and educational materials for the
training required under subsection (a)(2).
(ii) Recommended resources and age-appropriate educational
materials on student mental health.
(3) Develop a model student mental health curriculum and
make the curriculum available to all school entities and, upon
request, to nonpublic schools. A school entity may incorporate
the curriculum into its existing instructional program pursuant
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to the school entity's student mental health support policy.
(c) The model policy developed by the department under
subsection (b)(1) and any policy adopted by a school entity
under subsection (a)(1) shall include the following:
(1) A guide on student mental health supports available to
students.
(2) Protocols for administering the student mental health
support policy to staff and students.
(3) Procedures for identification and referral of students
in need of student mental health support.
(4) Methods of intervention, including procedures that
involve caregivers and staff in addressing student mental health
support.
(5) Reporting procedures.
(6) Recommended resources for student mental health support,
including current contact information for such programs.
(7) Procedures for identifying students who have experienced
trauma or loss and a protocol for providing student mental
health support that includes evidence-based programming tailored
to trauma or grief.
(d) As used in this section, the following words and phrases
shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection unless
the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Department." The Department of Education of the
Commonwealth.
"Nonpublic school." A nonprofit school, other than a school
entity, wherein a resident of this Commonwealth may legally
fulfill the compulsory school attendance requirements of this
act and which meets the requirements of Title VI of the Civil
Rights Act of 1964 (Public Law 88-352, 42 U.S.C. § 2000d et
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seq.).
"Professional educator." As defined in section 1205.2(o).
"School entity." A school district, joint school district,
charter school, regional charter school, cyber charter school,
intermediate unit or area career and technical school.
"Secretary." The Secretary of Education of the Commonwealth.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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