Pupil health: mental health: model referral protocols

Immigration enforcement-related emergencies can disrupt pupils’ well-being and access to support. The law requires statewide and local guidance to address equitable mental-health referrals and services in those situations.

What the law does ​

• Requires the State Department of Education, by July 1, 2027, to review and update model pupil behavioral-health referral protocols as needed.
• Requires the updated model protocols to address equity-centered mental-health supports during local emergencies related to immigration enforcement or deportations of pupils or family members.
• Requires local educational agencies to review and update their behavioral-health referral policies by July 1, 2028, as needed.
• Requires updated local policies to include referral procedures for behavioral-health professionals and support services.
• Allows local agencies to use the state model protocols or develop policies with school and community stakeholders and school-linked behavioral-health professionals.

Who it affects ​

• Pupils affected by immigration enforcement activity or the deportation of a family member.
• Local educational agencies serving grades 7 through 12.
• School staff and behavioral-health professionals involved in pupil referrals and support services.

Breakdown ​

Mental Health Support During Immigration Emergencies ​

The bill requires the California Department of Education to review and update its model behavioral health referral protocols by July 1, 2027, if needed. The updated guidance must address equity-centered mental health support during local emergencies involving immigration enforcement or the deportation of students or their family members.

Key takeaways

• The Department of Education must consult appropriate stakeholders when reviewing the model referral protocols.
• The review and any needed updates must be completed by July 1, 2027.
• The protocols must include guidance for mental health support during local emergencies connected to immigration enforcement activities.
• The guidance must address situations involving the deportation of pupils or their family members.
• The required supports must be equity-centered.

Emergency Mental Health Support Updates ​

The bill requires local educational agencies serving grades 7 through 12 to review and, when needed, update their behavioral health referral policies by July 1, 2028. The updated policies must include guidance for providing equity-centered mental health support during local emergencies involving immigration enforcement or the deportation of students or their family members.

Key takeaways

• The requirement applies to local educational agencies that serve students in grades 7 through 12.
• By July 1, 2028, these agencies must review and update their behavioral health referral policies as necessary.
• Updated policies must address equity-centered mental health support during local emergencies related to immigration enforcement or deportations affecting students or their family members.
• An agency may base its updated policy on the department's updated model referral protocols or develop it with school and community stakeholders and school-linked behavioral health professionals.
• At a minimum, the updated policy must include procedures for referring students to behavioral health professionals and support services.
• The added duties create a state-mandated local program.