Connecting Students with Mental Health Services Act
Summary
The "Connecting Students with Mental Health Services Act" aims to improve mental and behavioral health support for elementary and secondary school students. It authorizes the Secretary of Education, in coordination with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, to award grants to eligible entities. Priority is given to entities serving high-poverty or rural schools, or those in health professional shortage areas.
The grants are intended to fund telehealth programs and related resources. The act also mandates a report to Congress on the program's impact and recommendations for future improvements.
It authorizes appropriations of $5,000,000 per fiscal year from 2026 through 2029.
Expected Effects
This act will likely increase access to mental and behavioral health services for students, particularly in underserved areas. It will also promote the use of telehealth in schools.
Furthermore, it will generate data and recommendations for improving mental health support programs in schools.
However, the limited funding may restrict the scale and reach of the program.
Potential Benefits
- Increased access to mental health services for students, especially in rural and high-poverty areas.
- Support for telehealth programs in schools, improving convenience and reach.
- Potential for early identification and intervention for mental health issues.
- Improved student well-being and academic performance.
- Data collection and analysis to inform future mental health programs.
Potential Disadvantages
- Limited funding may not be sufficient to address the widespread need for mental health services.
- Focus on telehealth may not be suitable for all students or situations.
- Potential privacy concerns related to student data collected through telehealth programs.
- Administrative burden for schools applying for and managing grants.
- Reliance on partnerships between educational agencies and community health providers, which may be difficult to establish in some areas.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the General Welfare Clause (Article I, Section 8) of the Constitution, which allows Congress to provide for the well-being of its citizens, in this case, by supporting student mental health. It also aligns with the Tenth Amendment, reserving powers not delegated to the federal government to the states, as the bill supplements rather than supplants state and local funding.
However, the bill must ensure compliance with privacy laws to avoid infringing on individual liberties, potentially implicating the Fourth Amendment's protection against unreasonable searches and seizures if data collection is not properly regulated.
Overall, the bill appears to be within the constitutional bounds, provided that privacy concerns are adequately addressed.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).