The bill H.817 aims to enhance mental health literacy and peer support initiatives in schools across Vermont. It mandates the Department of Mental Health, in collaboration with the Agency of Education, to establish a mental health literacy training grant program for educators and school personnel, as well as a peer-to-peer mental health program to facilitate student connections in supervised settings. This initiative is set to take effect on July 1, 2028. Additionally, the Department of Mental Health is tasked with exploring funding sources for these programs as part of its fiscal year 2028 budget presentation.

Furthermore, by January 15, 2027, the Department of Mental Health, along with the Agency of Education and relevant stakeholders, must submit an inventory of existing mental health programming and services in schools. This inventory will include recommendations for integrating the new mental health literacy and peer-to-peer programming into current offerings. The act is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026.