Indiana schools would plan mental health and substance use screenings

Under the proposal, school corporations and charter schools would plan mental health and substance use screenings. The education department would make screening tools and related resources available. The plans would cover students in kindergarten through grade 12. Mental health screening must include checks for high risk of later violence and for resilience. The proposed chapter would take effect July 1, 2026, if enacted.

Under the proposal, schools would notify parents of unemancipated minors about the screening's purpose and approximate time, get consent before screening, and provide results and a resource list when applicable. Adult and emancipated students would receive their results and a resource list when applicable. These rules cover students screened under the proposed chapter and distinguish between unemancipated minors and adult or emancipated students. For an adult or emancipated minor, the student must consent. For an unemancipated minor, a parent must consent. The proposed chapter would take effect July 1, 2026, if enacted.

Under the proposal, schools could not use screening results to decide a student's instruction, academic opportunities, or discipline. They generally would not be responsible for additional care when results show it is needed. Screening records would follow privacy law, and screening data would be destroyed by the earlier deadline. These rules would cover screening results and data collected by school corporations and charter schools under the proposed chapter. Schools would not be responsible for additional care except as otherwise required by federal or state law. Data would be destroyed when results are shared or within 60 days after the school gets them, whichever comes first, unless federal law provides otherwise. The 60-day period would start when the school gets the results. The proposed chapter would take effect July 1, 2026, if enacted.