SF4619

Purpose

This bill would provide two-year funding from the state’s general fund to support school-linked behavioral health programs. The goal is to increase access to mental health and substance use disorder treatment and services for families of children who receive services through school-linked behavioral health providers.

Main Provisions

• Funding: In fiscal years 2026 and 2027, general fund money is appropriated to the commissioner of human services for school-linked behavioral health grants.
• Source and authority: Grants are provided under Minnesota Statutes section 245.4901.
• Use of funds: The appropriated amounts must be used to create or support grants that increase access to mental health services and substance use disorder treatment and services.
• Beneficiaries: The focus is on families of children who receive services through school-linked behavioral health providers.

Significance / Changes to Law

• Creates a dedicated two-year funding stream (FY2026 and FY2027) to support school-linked behavioral health initiatives.
• Specifies that funds be used specifically to expand access for families, not only for direct services to children, aligning grant use with family-focused outcomes within school-linked behavioral health programs.
• Integrates the new funding with existing law by referencing Minnesota Statutes section 245.4901.

Practical impact

• Schools and community programs receiving these grants would work to remove barriers to care and connect families with mental health and substance use treatment options.
• The bill allocates resources to broaden the reach and effectiveness of school-based behavioral health services by incorporating family-facing supports.

Relevant Terms - general fund - appropriation - school-linked behavioral health grants - commissioner of human services - Minnesota Statutes section 245.4901 - fiscal year 2026 - fiscal year 2027 - mental health - substance use disorder treatment - families of children - school-linked behavioral health providers