The bill establishes the Mental Health Intervention Team Program within the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, aimed at improving access to behavioral health services for K-12 students. Building on a previous pilot program, it seeks to foster collaboration among school districts, qualified schools, and mental health intervention providers. The program's goals include identifying students needing mental health support, connecting them and their families to resources, addressing staff shortages in mental health services, and providing continuous support throughout the year. The bill outlines the roles of various stakeholders, such as school liaisons, therapists, and case managers, who will work together to deliver tailored mental health services.

Furthermore, the bill mandates the creation of a mental health intervention team program fund within each participating school district to cover expenses related to school liaisons and payments to mental health providers. The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services will oversee the program, including approving school district applications and distributing grants. A Qualified School Mental Health Intervention Team Board will be established to guide and oversee the program, ensuring it meets students' mental health needs. The board will also create a funding allocation plan based on criteria like student population size and need for support, oversee implementation, and provide resources and training to schools. An annual report on the program's progress will be submitted to legislative committees starting in 2026, with the act taking effect upon publication in the statute book.