In the near future, I intend to introduce legislation that requires parental notification and consent for a student to access and use a mental health services digital platform promoted or facilitated by school entities in Pennsylvania.

The delivery of mental health services in schools has evolved over time and continues to vary across schools. Some students access in-person mental health services at schools or near campus while others access services through tele-health and mental health services digital platforms. Mental health services digital platforms are electronic web-based tools that aim to provide support, prevention, and treatment in mental health, and often include an online peer support community and  self-guided mental health assessments. 

This type of mental health tool is an area of concern because there is a growing recognition that these programs, which provide a social media aspect and little interaction with a licensed medical professional, may be more harmful than helpful to students who are struggling with a mental health disorder or condition. In some instances, it is creating more problems or exacerbating existing ones.

Where children are involved, parents have a responsibility to ensure their safety and well-being.  By being notified and provided detailed information about mental health digital platforms, including privacy policies and the types of information that children can access and share, allows parents to determine if this medium is appropriate for their child.

My bill will prohibit a school entity from allowing a student to access a mental health digital platform or facilitate access to the platform without receiving specific written permission from the parent or legal guardian of the student.

In addition, school entities will be required to provide a clear and detailed description of the platform in a manner that provides a meaningful understanding of the platform's practices, mission and structure, including the platform's teachings, approach and philosophies, lessons, available materials, activities and licenses.

Parents will be permitted to be present with the student in an authorized school setting while the student accesses and uses the mental health services digital platform on school premises, unless good cause for the exclusion of the parent or legal guardian is documented by the governing board of the school entity. 

Please join me in cosponsoring this legislation to ensure that parents remain informed and play an active role in their child’s mental well-being, fostering a healthy and supportive environment for the child’s mental health journey.

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 0201: P.L.30, No.14