Gov. JB Pritzker signed off Thursday on a plan that lays the groundwork for Illinois to become the first state to implement universal mental health screenings in public schools. [Health News Illinois]

The law tasks the Illinois State Board of Education to work with the Children's Behavioral Health Transformation Initiative and other stakeholders on resource materials, which will be made available to schools by September 2026.

The materials will include model procedures and guidance to help school districts implement universal mental health screening by the 2027-2028 school year.

School districts will offer screenings at least once a year to students starting in the third grade.

The prepared materials will address options for parents, guardians and students to opt out of screenings. It will also address confidentiality and privacy considerations, how to communicate to families and communities about the use of mental health screenings, storage of mental health screening results and connecting individuals to resources after screenings.

Officials said that, under current law, screenings are not required, which makes it challenging to identify and address mental health issues that cause barriers to learning.

“We are now in a better position to support districts in their efforts to promote learning and well-being among all students,” said Dr. Dana Weiner, the head of Illinois’ Office for Children’s Behavioral Health Transformation.

Additionally, the law tasks state agencies to partner with psychiatric hospitals and schools to raise awareness of the online portal with information about available behavioral health services for children and adolescents.

“This bill is a proactive step toward making sure we can integrate early detection, because too often warning signs are missed or dismissed, and kids fall through the cracks,” said Rep. Lindsey LaPointe, D-Chicago. “I’m proud to work alongside our state’s behavioral healthcare advocates, including our Children’s Behavioral Health Officer, to ensure our public schools have the tools to connect students and families with real support — early, directly, and before it’s too late.”

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