HB 710

Requires the State Board of Education (Board) to establish the Mental Health Crisis Unit Pilot Program (Program) to provide funds to establish at least one mental health crisis unit in each participating local school administrative unit. The Program begins in the 2025-26 school year and expires June 30, 2028. Requires the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to choose up to eight local school administrative units to participate in the Program and consider at least: (1) resources available to the local school administrative unit; (2) overall impact on students' mental health in the local school administrative unit if it was selected to participate; and (3) history in the local school administrative unit of sudden traumatic events. Participants receive $250,000 in each fiscal year in which funds are made available to establish and maintain at least one mental health crisis unit in the local school administrative unit, with the purpose of the unit providing mental health resources to students and staff and be on call during school operating hours to provide rapid response to mental health emergencies. Requires informing students and staff about any available mental health crisis unit and provide opportunities to learn about its purposes and function. Require the unit to rotate between schools. Requires DPI, in consultation with the Center for Safer Schools, to establish standards and guidelines for the development, operation, and staffing of mental health crisis units under the Program, including a requirement that each mental health crisis unit be composed of at least one nurse, social worker, and counselor. Requires an annual report on the Program from the Board to the specified NCGA committee.