105 ILCS 155/ Wellness Checks in Schools Programs Act.

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105 ILCS 155/1-1

(105 ILCS 155/1-1)

Sec. 1-1. Short title. This Article may be cited as the Wellness Checks in Schools Program Act. References in this Article to "this Act" mean this Article.

(Source: P.A. 102-1037, eff. 6-2-22.)

105 ILCS 155/1-5

(105 ILCS 155/1-5)

Sec. 1-5. Findings. The General Assembly finds that:
(1) Depression is the most common mental health

disorder among American teens and adults, with over 2,800,000 young people between the ages of 12 and 17 experiencing at least one major depressive episode each year, approximately 10-15% of teenagers exhibiting at least one symptom of depression at any time, and roughly 5% of teenagers suffering from major depression at any time. Teenage depression is 2 to 3 times more common in females than in males.

(2) Various biological, psychological, and

environmental risk factors may contribute to teenage depression, which can lead to substance and alcohol abuse, social isolation, poor academic and workplace performance, unnecessary risk taking, early pregnancy, and suicide, which is the second leading cause of death among teenagers. Approximately 20% of teens with depression seriously consider suicide, and one in 12 attempt suicide. Untreated teenage depression can also result in adverse consequences throughout adulthood.

(3) Most teens who experience depression suffer from

more than one episode. It is estimated that, although teenage depression is highly treatable through combinations of therapy, individual and group counseling, and certain medications, fewer than one-third of teenagers experiencing depression seek help or treatment.

(4) The proper detection and diagnosis of mental

health conditions, including depression, is a key element in reducing the risk of teenage suicide and improving physical and mental health outcomes for young people. It is therefore fitting and appropriate to establish school-based mental health screenings to help identify the symptoms of mental health conditions and facilitate access to appropriate treatment.

(Source: P.A. 102-1037, eff. 6-2-22.)

105 ILCS 155/1-10

(105 ILCS 155/1-10)

Sec. 1-10. Wellness Checks in Schools Collaborative.

(a) Subject to appropriation, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall establish the Wellness Checks in Schools Collaborative for school districts that wish to implement wellness checks to identify students in grades 7 through 12 who are at risk of mental health conditions, including depression or other mental health issues. The Department shall work with school districts that have a high percentage of students enrolled in Medicaid and a high number of referrals to the State's Crisis and Referral Entry Services (CARES) hotline.

(b) The Collaborative shall focus on the identification of research-based screening tools validated to screen for mental health conditions in adolescents and identification of staff who will be responsible for completion of the screening tool. Nothing in this Act prohibits a school district from using a self-administered screening tool as part of the wellness check. To assist school districts in selecting research-based screening tools to use in their wellness check programs, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services may develop a list of preapproved research-based screening tools that are validated to screen adolescents for mental health concerns and are appropriate for use in a school setting. The list shall be posted on the websites of the Department of Healthcare and Family Services and the State Board of Education.

(c) The Collaborative shall also focus on assisting participating school districts in establishing a referral process for immediate intervention for students who are identified as having a behavioral health issue that requires intervention.

(d) The Department shall publish a public notice regarding the establishment of the Collaborative with school districts and shall conduct regular meetings with interested school districts.

(e) Subject to appropriation, the Department shall establish and implement a program to provide wellness checks in public schools in accordance with this Section.

(Source: P.A. 102-1037, eff. 6-2-22.)

105 ILCS 155/40-5

(105 ILCS 155/40-5)

Sec. 40-5. (Amendatory provisions; text omitted).

(Source: P.A. 102-1037, eff. 6-2-22; text omitted.)

105 ILCS 155/40-10

(105 ILCS 155/40-10)
Sec. 40-10.

The Illinois Public Aid Code is amended  by repealing Sections 3-10, 3-10.1, 3-10.2, 3-10.3, 3-10.4, 3-10.5, 3-10.6, 3-10.7, 3-10.8, 3-10.9, and 3-10.10, and  5-13.5.

(Source: P.A. 102-1037, eff. 6-2-22.)

105 ILCS 155/Art. 1

(105 ILCS 155/Art. 1)

ARTICLE 1.

(Source: P.A. 102-1037, eff. 6-2-22; text omitted.)

105 ILCS 155/Art. 5

(105 ILCS 155/Art. 5 heading)

ARTICLE 5.

(Source: P.A. 102-1037, eff. 6-2-22.)

105 ILCS 155/Art. 10

(105 ILCS 155/Art. 10 heading)

ARTICLE 10.

(Source: P.A. 102-1037, eff. 6-2-22.)

105 ILCS 155/Art. 15

(105 ILCS 155/Art. 15 heading)

ARTICLE 15.

(Source: P.A. 102-1037, eff. 6-2-22.)

105 ILCS 155/Art. 20

(105 ILCS 155/Art. 20 heading)

ARTICLE 20.

(Source: P.A. 102-1037, eff. 6-2-22.)

105 ILCS 155/Art. 25

(105 ILCS 155/Art. 25 heading)

ARTICLE 25.

(Source: P.A. 102-1037, eff. 6-2-22.)

105 ILCS 155/Art. 30

(105 ILCS 155/Art. 30 heading)

ARTICLE 30.

(Source: P.A. 102-1037, eff. 6-2-22.)

105 ILCS 155/Art. 40

(105 ILCS 155/Art. 40 heading)

ARTICLE 40.

(Source: P.A. 102-1037, eff. 6-2-22.)

105 ILCS 155/Art. 35

(105 ILCS 155/Art. 35 heading)

ARTICLE 35.

(Source: P.A. 102-1037, eff. 6-2-22.)

105 ILCS 155/Art. 45

(105 ILCS 155/Art. 45 heading)

ARTICLE 45.

(Source: P.A. 102-1037, eff. 6-2-22.)

105 ILCS 155/Art. 50

(105 ILCS 155/Art. 50 heading)

ARTICLE 50.

(Source: P.A. 102-1037, eff. 6-2-22.)

105 ILCS 155/Art. 55

(105 ILCS 155/Art. 55 heading)

ARTICLE 55.

(Source: P.A. 102-1037, eff. 6-2-22.)

105 ILCS 155/Art. 999

(105 ILCS 155/Art. 999 heading)

ARTICLE 999.

(Source: P.A. 102-1037, eff. 6-2-22.)

105 ILCS 155/999-99

(105 ILCS 155/999-99)

Sec. 999-99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.

(Source: P.A. 102-1037, eff. 6-2-22.)