House Bill No. [insert bill number] establishes a School Mental Health Promotion Pilot Program, which will be administered by the Office of Public Instruction. The program aims to support schools in implementing innovative, student-led mental health initiatives tailored to local needs. School districts can apply for grants to address mental health concerns, with applications needing support from students, parents, staff, and community members. The bill outlines specific criteria for grant eligibility, including the need for mental health activities, plans for program management, and evaluation metrics. Grants will range from a minimum of $5,000 to a maximum of $50,000, based on student enrollment, and districts can reapply for a second grant cycle after two years.

Additionally, the bill appropriates $250,000 from the general fund for each year of the biennium starting July 1, 2025, to fund these grants. It mandates that participating school districts report on their expenditures and the effectiveness of the mental health initiatives by July 15 of even-numbered years. The bill also includes provisions for notifying tribal governments and specifies that the program will terminate on June 30, 2029. The effective date for the act is set for July 1, 2025.