Press release
OKLAHOMA CITY – A bill to provide teachers and school administrators with training and resources on mental health care for students passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives on Tuesday.
Senate Bill 446 by Sen. John Haste, R-Broken Arrow, and Rep. Sheila Dills, R-Tulsa, directs the State Department of Education to provide information, training and other resources relating to mental health care to public school teachers and administrators. The bill passed the House 88-4.
“Providing this information to help recognize and address the mental health needs of students will not only give our students the care they need while at school, but also will create an environment where these students have the opportunities they need to succeed,” Dills said. “Students spend a majority of their day at school, so it’s important that the teachers and administrators they are surrounded by have the knowledge and tools to help them.”
Dills said SB446 had the support of the State Department of Education and mental health stakeholders.
Having passed both legislative chambers, the bill now sits on the governor’s desk to be signed into law. The bill passed with an emergency clause, so it would go into effect immediately upon signature by the governor.
Rep. Sheila Dills, a Republican, represents District 69 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, which includes Bixby, Jenks and Tulsa.