AI-generated summary, not yet reviewed by Better Utah staff. Please consult the bill text.

Utah law currently defines "qualifying personnel" as licensed school counselors, psychologists, social workers, or nurses who collaborate with educators and parents to identify students' academic and mental health needs. This bill would expand and clarify that definition to explicitly list the specific types of licensed professionals who qualify—including registered nurses, social service workers, certified and clinical social workers, clinical mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, and psychologists—while also allowing individuals working as licensed interns under supervision to count as qualifying personnel. The bill would also require the State Board of Education to issue guidance for school-based mental health services ensuring they align with the scope-of-practice, supervision, and clinical oversight rules set by the Division of Professional Licensing, and that they comply with the legal definition of mental health therapy practice. These changes affect how schools staff and fund mental health and counseling support programs for students under existing state grant provisions.