This bill establishes a new section, 394.4575, in the Florida Statutes, which mandates the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA) to evaluate student mental health assistance programs within school districts. The bill requires OPPAGA to submit an initial evaluation by December 31, 2025, and a final review by December 1, 2026, to the Governor and the Legislature. The evaluations will assess compliance with existing statutes, treatment outcomes, system capacity, and the integration of mental health services into coordinated behavioral health care systems. Additionally, the bill outlines specific evaluation requirements, including assessments of school district compliance, treatment outcomes, and recommendations for enhancing mental health assistance programs.

To facilitate these evaluations, the bill requires coordination between OPPAGA and various entities, including the Department of Education, school district threat management coordinators, and mental health coordinators. These entities must provide necessary data and reports to OPPAGA, which will include metrics related to performance, treatment outcomes, and system capacity. The act is set to take effect upon becoming law.

Statutes affected:
S 1310 Filed: 1001.212, 1006.041, 1012.584