SB 23-004

Senate Bill 23-004 allows schools in Colorado to hire mental health professionals who have a professional license from the state but not necessarily a specific school-based license. These therapists can work alongside licensed special service providers to support students' mental health needs, provided they pass background checks and are supervised by qualified mentors or administrators. The bill was signed into law on May 4, 2023, meaning it is now active and schools can start hiring these additional mental health professionals immediately.

Official Summary

Under current law, a mental health professional must be licensed by the department of education (department) in order to work in a school. The act authorizes a school or school district, the state charter school institute, a board of cooperative services that operates a school, or the division of youth services to employ school-based therapists who are not licensed by the department but hold a Colorado license for their profession to work in coordination with licensed special service providers to coordinate mental health supports for students. Before being employed, the school-based therapists must satisfy certain requirements for nonlicensed school employees, including a fingerprint-based criminal background check. Any school-based therapists may be supervised by a mentor special services provider or a licensed administrator. If an eligible school-based therapist provides services to a student related to the student's individualized education program, the eligible school-based therapist must have qualifications consistent with the student's individualized education program. APPROVED by Governor May 4, 2023 EFFECTIVE May 4, 2023 (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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