AB 1851: Pupil health: social-emotional, behavioral, and mental health supports.

Existing law requires the governing board of a school district to give diligent care to the health and physical development of pupils and authorizes the governing board of a school district to employ properly certified persons for this purpose. Existing law requires a school of a school district or county office of education and a charter school to notify pupils and parents or guardians of pupils no less than twice during the school year on how to initiate access to available pupil mental health services on campus or in the community, or both, as provided.

This bill would require, on or before July 1, 2027, the State Department of Education to develop and publish guidance, resources, and technical assistance to support local educational agencies in implementing an integrated, universal Tier 1 approach to social and emotional learning, behavior health, and restorative practices for pupils in kindergarten and any of grades 1 to 12, inclusive, as provided. The bill would require, to the extent of available funding, a school district or county office of education, and authorize a charter school, to implement the guidance developed by the department, as provided. The bill would require a school district or county office of education to provide professional development to support implementation of the guidance. enter into a contract with one or more local educational agencies with capacity and established expertise, as provided, to serve as lead entities in providing support for the implementation of integrated, universal social-emotional learning, behavioral health, and restorative practices for pupils in kindergarten and grades 1 to 12, inclusive. The bill would require, on or before January 1, 2028, the lead entities, selected pursuant to a competitive process, to make available guidance, resources, and technical assistance to local educational agencies to expand the statewide implementation of integrated, universal social-emotional learning, behavioral health, and restorative practices, as provided. The bill would make the implementation of these provisions contingent upon an appropriation, as provided.