This document includes House Committee Amendments incorporated into the bill on Tue, Feb 6, 2018 at 11:15 AM by bbryner.
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7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill enacts language authorizing grants for school-based counselors and social
10 workers.
11 Highlighted Provisions:
12 This bill:
13 ▸ defines terms;
14 ▸ authorizes the State Board of Education (board) to award grants to local education
15 agencies to provide targeted school-based mental health supports in elementary
16 schools;
17 ▸ authorizes the board to make rules for grant applications and awards; and
18 ▸ requires a local education agency that receives a grant to submit an annual report to
19 the board.
20 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
21 None
22 Other Special Clauses:
23 None
24 Utah Code Sections Affected:
25 ENACTS:
26 53F-5-209, Utah Code Annotated 1953
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28 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
29 Section 1. Section 53F-5-209 is enacted to read:
30 53F-5-209. Grants for school-based mental health supports.
31 (1) As used in this section:
32 (a) "Board" means the State Board of Education.
33 (b) "Elementary school" means a school that includes any one or all of grades
34 kindergarten through grade 6.
35 (c) "Intergenerational poverty" means the same as that term is defined in Section
36 35A-9-102.
37 (d) "Local education agency" or "LEA" means a school district, charter school, or Utah
38 Schools for the Deaf and the Blind.
39 (e) "Qualifying personnel" means a school counselor or school social worker who:
40 (i) is licensed by the board; and
41 (ii) collaborates with educators and a student's family or guardian on:
42 (A) early identification and intervention of a student's academic and mental health
43 needs; and
44 (B) removing barriers to learning and developing skills and behaviors critical for a
45 student's academic achievement.
46 (2) Subject to legislative appropriations and Subsection (3), the board shall award a
47 grant to an LEA to provide targeted school-based mental health support in an elementary
48 school, including trauma-informed care, through employment of qualifying personnel.
49 (3) In awarding a grant under this section, the board shall give:
50 (a) first priority to an LEA that proposes to target funds to one or more elementary
51 schools with a high percentage of students exhibiting risk factors for childhood trauma; and
52 (b) second priority to an LEA that proposes to target funds to one or more elementary
53 schools with a high percentage of students experiencing intergenerational poverty.
54 (4) To qualify for a grant, an LEA shall:
55 (a) submit an application to the board that includes:
56 (i) measurable goals on improving student safety, student engagement, school culture,
57 and academic achievement; and
58 (ii) how the LEA intends to meet goals submitted under Subsection (4)(a)(i) through
59 the use of the grant funds; and
60 (b) provide local funds to match grant funds received under this section in an amount
61 equal to one-half of the amount of the grant funds.
62 (5) An LEA may not replace federal, state, or local funds previously allocated to
63 employ qualified personnel with funds distributed under this section.
64 (6) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the
65 board shall make rules specifying:
66 (a) procedures for applying for and awarding grants under this section, including:
67 (i) a definition of risk factors for childhood trauma;
68 (ii) the duration of a grant; and
69 (iii) a schedule for submission of matching grant funds; and
70 (b) annual reporting requirements for grantees in accordance with Subsection (7).
71 (7) An LEA that receives a grant under this section shall submit an annual report to the
72 board, including:
73 (a) progress toward achieving the goals submitted under Subsection (4)(a)(i); and
74 (b) if the LEA decides to discontinue the qualifying personnel position, the LEA's
75 reason for discontinuing the position.
76 (8) Beginning on or before July 1, 2019, the board shall provide training that instructs
77 educators on the impact of trauma on student learning Ĥ→ , including information advising
77a educators against practicing medicine, giving a diagnosis, or providing treatment ←Ĥ .
Legislative Review Note
Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel