DE lawmakers introduce legislation addressing mental health for students

Delaware lawmakers now pushing more legislation with a focus on mental health.

Representative Valerie Longhurst held a press conference Monday introducing the 2023 Delaware Behavioral Health Package.

House Bill 200 looks to create more positions geared towards mental health in high schools statewide. This includes school counselors, social workers, and school psychologists.

Other measures include House Bill 4, providing supportive services for schools after traumatic events. These include incidents such as the death of any student, educator, or other employee of a public school.

House Bill 3 would provide students up to 3 excused absences per school year for behavioral health reasons.

Lawmakers say the move shows the state’s dedication to make mental health a top priority.  “With this package of bills, we’re going to be making a statement in our state of Delaware that Delawareans care about their children. We’re going to continue to fight to make sure that every child has the services they need and that we’re aware of it,” Rep. Longhurst said.

That package of bills is expected to be filed Tuesday, April 25th.