Senate Bill 1122 establishes a temporary youth mental health service program in Tennessee, aimed at improving access to mental health services for youth, particularly in light of needs arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill introduces a new part to Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 33, Chapter 8, which defines key terms such as "portal," "program," "provider," "telehealth," and "youth." The program will facilitate mental health screenings and provide reimbursement for up to three sessions per youth client, with the possibility of additional sessions. Funding for the program will come from the K-12 mental health special reserve account.

The bill also mandates the development of a web-based portal to streamline the program's operations, allowing for mental health screenings, provider registration, and appointment scheduling. By July 1, 2026, the department is required to report on the program's impact, including the number of youths served. Additionally, the bill amends existing language in Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 49-3-502(11), to specify that funds will be allocated for the temporary youth mental health service program. The act will take effect upon becoming law for administrative purposes, with full implementation set for July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 49-3-502(11), 49-3-502