Vermont H 817: An act relating to mental health literacy and peer-to-peer supports in schools

Bill Text

BILLAS PASSED BY THE HOUSE AND SENATE H.817
2026 Page 1 of 10
H.817
Introduced by Representatives Berbeco of Winooski, Bos-Lun of Westminster,
Holcombe of Norwich, and McFaun of Barre Town
Referred to Committee on
Date:
Subject: Health; mental health; education; peer supports; literacy
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes a mental health
and substance use disorder literacy curriculum for schools. This bill further
proposes to establish a pilot peer-to-peer mental health support program in
schools.
An act relating to mental health support and substance use disorder
prevention in schools
An act relating to mental health literacy and peer-to-peer supports in
schools
It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
* * * Mental Health and Substance Misuse Literacy * * *
Sec. 1. 16 V.S.A. § 914 is added to read:
§ 914. MENTALHEALTH AND SUBSTANCE MISUSE LITERACY
(a) Each supervisory union or school district shall select a curriculum to
increase awareness about mental health and substance misuse challenges
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17

BILLAS PASSED BY THE HOUSE AND SENATE H.817
2026 Page 2 of 10
facing youth throughout the State. Each selected curriculum shall include
information on:
(1) the connection and importance of mental health to an individual’s
physical health and overall well-being;
(2) resources and tools for maintaining mental wellness, including
evidence-based practices used to overcome mental health and substance misuse
challenges;
(3) signs and symptoms of common mental health and substance misuse
challenges and strategies for responding to those signs and symptoms;
(4) the prevalence of mental health and substance misuse challenges
across all populations;
(5) common mental health and substance misuse conditions and
evidence-based treatments for common conditions; and
(6) how to seek assistance or support for a mental health or substance
misuse challenge in school and the community at large.
(b) The Department of Mental Health shall post guidance for identifying
evidence-informed curricula and best practices that supervisory unions and
school districts may use in selecting a curriculum pursuant to this section.
(c) Each supervisory union or school district shall make its selected
curriculum available to parents and guardians and shall share the curriculum
with any organizations serving youth in the community.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21

BILLAS PASSED BY THE HOUSE AND SENATE H.817
2026 Page 3 of 10
* * * Peer-to-Peer Mental Health Support in Schools * * *
Sec. 2. PEER-TO-PEER MENTALHEALTH SUPPORT PROGRAM
(a) It is the intent of the General Assembly to:
(1) define best practices and develop statewide standards for youth peer-
to-peer support programs; and
(2) strengthen protective factors among Vermont youth and prevent
future mental health challenges and substance misuse.
(b) The Department of Mental Health shall establish a four-year pilot
program for the distribution of grants that fund peer-to-peer mental health
support programs in public and approved independent schools. Peer-to-peer
mental health support programs shall enable students to provide and receive
peer support and coaching from other students in relation to mental health
challenges. Each program shall have the oversight of a certified peer support
provider and guidance from a school-based mental health service provider.
(c) The Department shall:
(1) execute a subcontract for youth outreach;
(2) host at least two listening sessions to engage children and youth;
(3) convene an advisory board to inform the design of the peer-to-peer
pilot program established by this section;
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19

BILLAS PASSED BY THE HOUSE AND SENATE H.817
2026 Page 4 of 10
(4) develop a request for proposals on or before January 1, 2027, to
identify secondary schools in Vermont for participation in the peer-to-peer
pilot program established by this section; and
(5) accept grant applications for the peer-to-peer program established by
this section on a rolling basis beginning on February 1, 2027.
(d) In awarding grants pursuant to this section, the Department shall give
priority to applications submitted by a public or an approved independent
school that:
(1) propose using the grant for a peer-to-peer mental health program
with a suicide prevention component; or
(2) are located in an area of the State that has had high rates of suicide
or has experienced a recent traumatic event.
(e) School employees assisting with a peer-to-peer mental health support
program that is awarded a grant pursuant to this section shall receive training
in the following:
(1) empathetic listening;
(2) enhancing protective mental health factors;
(3) recognizing and appropriately responding to risk factors and
warning signs associated with mental health and substance misuse challenges,
including co-occurring challenges;
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20