2022 Oklahoma Statutes
Title 70. Schools
§70-24-159. Protocol for mental health crises.

A. Each public school district shall maintain a protocol for responding to students in mental health crisis with the goal of preventing student suicide, self-harm, and harm to others.

1. The protocol shall be developed, maintained, and implemented in partnership with one or more local mental health treatment providers certified by the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. At least one provider partner shall have:

• a.the ability to serve all school-aged children regardless of insurance status, and
• b.the ability and certification to provide mental health crisis services in the region where students attend school.

2. Any organization certified by the state as a community mental health center as defined in Section 3-302 of Title 43A of the Oklahoma Statutes or a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic shall serve as a school partner if requested by a school district located in its state-designated service area.

B. The protocol for responding to mental health crises shall, at a minimum:

1. Provide a definition of mental health crisis involving potential for harm to self or others;

2. Document how mental health crises may be identified by school administrators, teachers, support employees, and school-based mental health professionals;

3. Outline nonpunitive steps to safeguard student health and safety in response to an immediate or potential mental health crisis;

4. Identify local treatment providers and resources available to support students and families in mental health crisis and ensure appropriate referrals to treatment;

5. Outline a process for ensuring parent and caregiver notification and involvement during an actual or potential mental health crisis; and

6. Document how student privacy will be protected in compliance with applicable state and federal laws.

C. If a student who is under eighteen (18) years of age is identified as being in or at risk of a mental health crisis, the school shall inform the parent or legal guardian of the student and offer the treatment referral information contained in the protocol. Parent or legal guardian consent shall be required for any subsequent action taken by the school as part of the protocol except in cases of immediate and life-threatening danger to self or others.

D. All protocols developed by school districts and partner organizations shall comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 and Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) privacy requirements.

E. School administrators, teachers, support employees, and school-based mental health providers shall be provided ready access to and regular training on the protocol.

F. A working agreement shall be signed by the school district board of education and each identified mental health provider partner outlining all obligations of the parties under the established protocol and a strategy for regularly reviewing its effectiveness using anonymous, nonidentifiable data.

G. Not less than every two (2) years, the school district and its mental health provider partners shall jointly review the protocol and working agreements and consider any updates necessary to better meet the needs of students. School districts and mental health provider partners shall include in their review process information gathered from the Oklahoma Prevention Needs Assessment Survey or an alternative survey, as provided for in Section 24-158 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes.

H. Each school district shall submit the latest protocol and working agreements to the State Department of Education, which shall share the protocols and agreements with the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. These agencies may require revisions to ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and established evidence-based practices.

I. The Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and the State Department of Education shall provide technical assistance to school districts and their provider partners by:

1. Making available an optional template protocol which satisfies the provisions of this section;

2. Making available an optional template working agreement which can be adopted by schools and provider partners;

3. Providing school districts with lists of local public and private treatment providers eligible to serve as partners in the development and maintenance of a protocol;

4. Providing information on any available mental health crisis phone line;

5. Making available information on evidence-based practices for meeting the mental health needs of students; and

6. Providing ongoing assistance and consultation as requested by a school district.

J. The Board of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and the State Board of Education may promulgate rules as necessary to ensure compliance with this section.

K. Nothing in this section shall be construed to create, establish, expand, reduce, contract, or eliminate any civil liability on the part of any school or school employee.

Added by Laws 2022, c. 281, § 1, eff. July 1, 2022.