A bill

TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA BY ADDING SECTION 59-1-315 SO AS TO CREATE THE CENTER FOR SCHOOL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT PROGRAMS TO INCREASE THE TRAINING, PLACEMENT, AND RETENTION OF SCHOOL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS IN SOUTH CAROLINA, PARTICULARLY IN SCHOOLS WHERE THE NEED IS HIGH, AND TO SPECIFY THE LOCATIONS WHERE THE CENTER WILL OFFER SERVICES.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1.   Article 5, Chapter 1, Title 59 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

   Section 59-1-315.   (A) The Center for School Behavioral Health is created at the University of South Carolina. The center shall coordinate with Palmetto Colleges, particularly those serving rural areas, to develop and implement programs to increase the training, placement, and retention of school behavioral health and mental health professionals in South Carolina, particularly in schools where the need is high. These programs may include possible grants and funding for school psychologists, school social workers, and school counselors.

   (B) The center shall receive funding to enhance or expand programs in school psychology, school social work, and school counseling with a requirement to work with Palmetto Colleges and veterans to create additional pathways for training diverse school mental health professionals.

   (C)   For purposes of this section, "Palmetto Colleges" means the:

      (1) institutions under the jurisdiction of the State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education; and

      (2) campuses of the University of South Carolina Palmetto College.

SECTION 2.   This act takes effect on July 1, 2024.

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