PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 1541
PRINTER'S NO. 1727
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No.
913
Session of
2024
INTRODUCED BY LANGERHOLC, BAKER, ARGALL, MARTIN, DUSH, PHILLIPS-
HILL, MASTRIANO, ROTHMAN, J. WARD, HUTCHINSON AND GEBHARD,
APRIL 22, 2024
SENATOR ARGALL, EDUCATION, AS AMENDED, JUNE 12, 2024
AN ACT
Providing for parental consent for virtual mental health
services provided by a school entity.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Short title.
This act shall be known and may be cited as the Virtual
Mental Health IN SCHOOLS Act.
Section 2. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"School entity." A public school, including a charter school
or cyber charter school, private school, nonpublic school,
intermediate unit or area career and technical school operating
within this Commonwealth.
"Virtual mental health services." Online support, ONLINE
PEER SUPPORT COMMUNITY or counseling provided by an individual,
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who is not a licensed mental health professional in this
Commonwealth, or application. The presence or ability of one
individual not licensed in this Commonwealth to engage with
students shall meet the requirements of this definition.
Section 3. Parental consent to virtual mental health services
provided by a school entity.
(a) Application.--This act applies to all virtual mental
health services provided by or in coordination with a school
entity.
(b) Form requirements.--The school entity shall create a
form for obtaining virtual mental health services, which shall
contain the following:
(1) A summary and scope of the virtual mental health
services available.
(2) An area for parents or guardians to provide consent.
(3) Any other information the school entity deems
necessary.
(c) Obtaining consent.--Notwithstanding SECTION 1.1(2) OF
THE ACT OF FEBRUARY 13, 1970 (P.L.19, NO.10), ENTITLED "AN ACT
ENABLING CERTAIN MINORS TO CONSENT TO MEDICAL, DENTAL AND HEALTH
SERVICES, DECLARING CONSENT UNNECESSARY UNDER CERTAIN
CIRCUMSTANCES," OR any other provision of law OR REGULATION, a
school entity providing or coordinating virtual mental health
services shall, no later than 14 days after the beginning of the
school year, ANNUALLY obtain a completed form with the consent
of the parent or guardian of a student who is under 18 years of
age prior to providing or coordinating virtual mental health
services to the student.
(d) Consent required.--A school entity may not provide or
coordinate any virtual mental health services for a student
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whose parent or guardian has not provided consent under this
section.
Section 4. Effective date.
This act shall take effect on July 1, 2024, or immediately,
whichever is later.
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