Bill HF4020, SF4809

1.1          A bill for an act
1.2          relating to education; establishing mental health care services for students through
1.3          telehealth; appropriating money;proposing coding for new law in Minnesota
1.4          Statutes, chapter 121A.
1.5          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6          Section 1. [121A.217] MENTAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES.
1.7                          Subdivision 1.Mental health services for students. The commissioner of education
1.8          must select a mental health care provider to provide mental health services to students
1.9          through telehealth. The mental health care provider must work with schools across the state
1.10       to provide services to students and their families, subject to parental consent where required
1.11       by applicable law.
1.12                       Subd. 2.Mental health care provider.  (a) By January 1, 2027, the commissioner must
1.13       select a mental health care provider.
1.14       (b) The mental health care provider selected by the commissioner must provide all
1.15       telehealth services using clinicians licensed in Minnesota. The mental health care provider
1.16       must provide services through telehealth and maintain appointment availability within one
1.17       week from referral to the first session with a licensed clinician. The mental health care
1.18       provider must demonstrate a track record of billing insurance for services, including private
1.19       insurance and Minnesota medical assistance plans. The mental health care provider must
1.20       demonstrate capacity to serve students statewide across rural, suburban, and urban areas.
1.21       (c) For purposes of this section, "telehealth" has the meaning given in section 62A.673.
2.1                          Subd. 3.Reporting. The mental health care provider selected by the commissioner must
2.2          meet annual progress reporting requirements. By July 1 of each year, the mental health care
2.3          provider must report to the commissioner, in the form and manner determined by the
2.4          commissioner, on metrics including number of students with access to mental health care,
2.5          rates of engagement with students, clinical outcomes, and overall cost effectiveness. Data
2.6          must be disaggregated and reported by district.

2.7          Sec. 2. APPROPRIATION; MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.
 2.8                        Subdivision 1.Department of Education. The sum indicated in this section is
2.9          appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Education in the fiscal year
2.10       designated.
2.11                       Subd. 2.Mental health services. For a grant to a mental health care provider to provide 
2.12       mental health services to students through telehealth under Minnesota Statutes, section
2.13       121A.217: