AB984: Bill Text

LRB-3219/1

FFK:emw

2023 - 2024 LEGISLATURE

2023 Assembly BILL 984

January 25, 2024 - Introduced by Representatives Dittrich and Zimmerman, cosponsored by Senator Testin. Referred to Committee on Education.

AB984,1,2 An Act to create 20.435 (5) (bx) of the statutes; relating to: a pilot school-centered mental health program and making an appropriation.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

This bill requires the Department of Health Services to distribute $428,000 in each fiscal year of the 2023-25 biennium to Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, Inc., to operate a school-centered mental health program in two schools in this state. Under the bill, LSS must use the money to support full-time therapist positions, family coach positions, and any other positions necessary to operate the school-centered mental health program. Finally, under the bill, the school-centered mental health program must meet various criteria, including that it serve the most at-risk pupils and families at the school, serve pupils and families year-round, include classroom observations and pupil-specific behavior intervention, include evidence-based individual or family therapy, and provide family coaching that provides skill development and parent education aligned with therapeutic goals.

For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

AB984,1 Section 1. 20.005 (3) (schedule) of the statutes: at the appropriate place, insert the following amounts for the purposes indicated: - See PDF for table

AB984,2 Section 2. 20.435 (5) (bx) of the statutes is created to read:

AB984,2,7 20.435 (5) (bx) School-centered mental health program; Lutheran Social Services. The amounts in the schedule for payments to Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, Inc., under 2023 Wisconsin Act .... (this act), section 3 (1 ). No moneys may be encumbered from this appropriation after June 30, 2025.

AB984,3 Section 3 . Nonstatutory provisions.

AB984,2,9 (1) School-centered mental health program pilot.

AB984,2,16 (a) In each fiscal year of the 2023-25 biennium, the department of health services shall distribute the amount appropriated under s. 20.255 (3) (cm) to Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, Inc., to operate a school-centered mental health program at 2 schools in this state. Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, Inc., shall use moneys distributed under this paragraph to support full-time therapist positions, family coach positions, and other positions necessary to operate the school-centered mental health program.

AB984,2,18 (b) The school-centered mental health program operated under par. (a ) shall satisfy the following criteria:

AB984,3,2 1. The program serves the most at-risk pupils and families at each school at which the program is operated,

AB984,3,4 2. The program is designed to engage the pupil and the pupil's family and other identified supportive individuals in the pupil's life.

AB984,3,5 3. The program provides services to the pupil year-round.

AB984,3,7 4. The program includes evidence-based individual or family therapy at school, at the pupil's home, or elsewhere in the community.

AB984,3,10 5. The program helps to connect families to community health services and services addressing social determinants of health needs and to establish primary care providers.

AB984,3,12 6. The program provides family coaching that provides skill development and parent education aligned with therapeutic goals.

AB984,3,14 7. The program includes classroom observations and pupil-specific behavior interventions.

AB984,3,15 8. The program facilitates school staff training.

AB984,3,17 9. The program includes an independent audit of the program's outcomes, including a comparison to other school-based mental health models.

AB984,3,18 (End)