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 the broader behavioral health care system. Additionally, the bill outlines specific evaluation requirements, including assessments of policies, procedures, and data collection related to mental health services.

To facilitate these evaluations, the bill requires coordination between OPPAGA and various entities, including the Department of Education, school district mental health coordinators, and the Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute. These entities must provide necessary information and data to support the evaluations, which will include metrics on 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