Substitute House Bill No. 7158 aims to improve the secure transmission of safety plans for minors receiving inpatient behavioral health care to their respective schools. Effective April 1, 2026, health care providers must review these safety plans with the minor and obtain consent from the minor or their legally authorized representative before sharing the plans with the school. The sharing must occur through a secure messaging system that complies with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). The bill also mandates local and regional education boards to establish organizational accounts on secure messaging systems, ensuring designated employees, including school nurse supervisors, can access these plans confidentially.

Furthermore, the bill requires annual professional development for newly designated employees on the use of the secure messaging system and mandates education boards to submit their secure messaging system addresses to the State Department of Education (SDE). The bill repeals and replaces subsection (b) of section 17b-59d of the general statutes to align with the State-wide Health Information Exchange's goals, which include secure access to patient health information. Notably, it eliminates previous requirements for discharge plans and the creation of a list of behavioral health providers while expanding the types of school employees who can access safety plans. Overall, the bill seeks to enhance coordination of care for minors and ensure their safety through effective communication between health care providers and educational institutions.