(a) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply: (1) âLocal educational agencyâ means a county office of education, school district, state special school, or charter school that serves pupils in any of grades 7 to 12, inclusive. (2) âYouth behavioral health disordersâ means pupil mental health and substance use disorders. (3) âYouth behavioral health trainingâ means training that develops awareness of trauma and the brainâs response to stress and the protective factors for behavioral health and well-being that support healing and resilience. (b) (1) The governing board or body of a local educational agency shall, before January 31, 2026, adopt, at a regularly scheduled meeting, a policy on referral protocols for addressing pupil behavioral health concerns in grades 7 to 12, inclusive. The policy shall be developed in consultation with school and community stakeholders and school-linked behavioral health professionals, and shall, at a minimum, address procedures relating to referrals to behavioral health professionals and support services. Policies adopted before the date of enactment of the act that added this section may be considered to meet the requirements of this section, if they fulfill the requirements of this section. (2) The policy adopted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall either be based on the model policy developed by the department or be consistent with subdivision (b) of Section 49428.1. (3) The policy adopted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall specifically address the needs of high-risk groups, including, but not limited to, all of the following: (A) Pupils bereaved by death or loss of a close family member or friend. (B) Pupils for whom there is concern due to behavioral health disorders, including common psychiatric conditions and substance use disorders such as opioid and alcohol abuse. (C) Pupils with disabilities, mental illness, or substance use disorders. (D) Pupils experiencing homelessness or placed in out-of-home settings, such as foster care. (E) Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning pupils. (4) (A) The policy adopted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall also address any training to be provided to teachers of pupils in grades 7 to 12, inclusive, on pupil behavioral health. (B) Materials approved by a local educational agency for training shall include how to identify appropriate contacts for behavioral health evaluation, services, or both evaluation and services, at both the schoolsite and within the larger community, and when and how to refer pupils and their families to those services. (C) Materials approved for training may also include programs that can be completed through self-review of materials developed pursuant to this section. (5) The policy adopted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be written to ensure that a school employee acts only within the authorization and scope of the employeeâs credential or license. Nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing or encouraging a school employee to diagnose or treat youth behavioral health disorders unless the employee is specifically licensed and employed to do so. (6) To assist local educational agencies in developing policies on referral protocols, the department shall develop and maintain a model policy in accordance with Section 49428.1 to serve as a guide for local educational agencies. (c) Subject to subdivision (d), on or before July 1, 2029, a local educational agency shall certify to the department that 100 percent of its certificated employees and 40 percent of its classified employees, who have direct contact with pupils in any of grades 7 to 12, have received youth behavioral health training at least one time, in accordance with all of the following: (1) The training provides instruction around the unique risk factors and warning signs of behavioral health problems in adolescents, builds understanding of the importance of early intervention, and teaches classified and certificated employe
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