2026 Mental Health Legislation
I introduced this group of bills because we need to care for your mental health earlier, better, and more equitably across our mental health system. By strengthening mental health supports in schools, building awareness and peer connections for young people, protecting access to quality care, and ensuring technology is used responsibly, this legislation focuses on reaching people sooner in life and removing barriers to getting help. Together, these efforts aim to strengthen our communities, support providers, and create a mental health system that is accessible, affordable, and centered on people.
H.815 An Act Relating to Health Insurance and Medicaid Reimbursement for Mental Health Services
Purpose: Protects reimbursement rates and ensures transparency when payment or policy changes affect mental health services.
Provisions of the bill:
• Limits how much insurers can reduce reimbursement rates for mental health providers.
• Requires advance notice, public input, and impact analysis before policy changes.
• Mandates monitoring of access to care and corrective action if services decline.
What this bill addresses: Provider stability, access to care, and accountability in reimbursement policy.
H.816 An Act Relating to Regulating Artificial Intelligence in Mental Health Services
Purpose: Protects patients by ensuring mental health care remains delivered by qualified professionals, not artificial intelligence.
Provisions of the bill:
• Prohibits AI from providing diagnosis, treatment, or therapeutic communication.
• Allows AI for administrative and quality improvement purposes with professional oversight.
• Enforces violations under Vermont’s Consumer Protection Act.
What this bill addresses: Patient safety, ethical use of technology, and preservation of human-centered care.
H.817 An Act Relating to Mental Health Support and Substance Use Disorder Prevention in Schools
Purpose: Strengthens prevention and early support through mental health literacy education and peer-to-peer support programs.
Provisions of the bill:
• Requires schools to adopt an evidence-informed mental health and substance misuse literacy curriculum.
• Establishes a pilot peer-to-peer mental health support program in secondary schools.
• Prioritizes communities with high suicide rates or recent trauma for program funding.
What this bill addresses: Youth mental health awareness, stigma reduction, and early peer-based support.
H.818 An Act Relating to Mental Health Screening in Schools
Purpose: Establishes a voluntary, evidence-based mental health screening program in Vermont schools to identify concerns early and connect students to support.
Provisions of the bill:
• Allows schools to offer age-appropriate mental health screenings with parental consent.
• Requires privacy protections and family notification of results and resources.
• Provides funding for screenings, staff training, and follow-up services for families in need.
What this bill addresses: Early identification of youth mental health challenges and timely connection to care.