This bill proposes updates to the Arizona Revised Statutes regarding school safety requirements by replacing references to "school counselors" and "school social workers" with "school-based mental health professionals." Specifically, it allows school districts and charter schools to apply for funding to support the costs of placing these mental health professionals on campuses. The bill also mandates that program proposals include plans for implementing school-based mental health programs, detailing the relationship between the professionals and community resources, and evaluating the effectiveness of the services provided.

Additionally, the bill clarifies the definition of "school-based mental health professional" to include various licensed educators and behavioral health providers, ensuring a broader range of qualified individuals can be involved in supporting student mental health. The language surrounding the evaluation and confidentiality policies is also updated to reflect the new terminology. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the focus on mental health support within school safety programs while streamlining the application and implementation processes for schools.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 15-154