Section 1. (Effective from passage) (a) There is established a task force to study the policies and procedures adopted by each institution of higher education regarding the prevention and treatment of mental illness in students and to recommend a state-wide policy regarding mental health services available to students at institutions of higher education. For each institution of higher education in the state, such study shall include, but need not be limited to, an examination of (1) the manner in which the institution informs students of the availability of mental health services, (2) the manner in which the mental health services are delivered to students, including whether mental health services are available online, through individual counseling sessions or group discussions and a listing of the types of mental health care providers available to students, (3) the rate at which the mental health services are utilized in comparison to the total student body, (4) the level of engagement the institution has with community or nonprofit organizations that provide mental health treatment and services, (5) the solicitation and review of voluntary recommendations of students and alumni that received mental health services while enrolled at the institution, (6) the manner in which the institution facilitates the return of students that take a leave of absence due to mental illness, (7) the training provided to faculty and staff to identify students experiencing mental illness, and (8) an analysis of the rate at which different types of mental health services are sought by students, including, but not limited to, the rate at which services for substance use disorder, depression or anxiety are sought. No personally identifying information shall be included on any information the task force requests or analyzes for the purposes of the study.
(b) The task force shall consist of the following members:
(1) Two appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, one of whom shall be a representative of a community or nonprofit provider of mental health treatment or services;
(2) Two appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, one of whom shall be a mental health care provider;
(3) One appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives;
(4) One appointed by the majority leader of the Senate;
(5) One appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives;
(6) One appointed by the minority leader of the Senate;
(7) The president of the Board of Regents for Higher Education, or the president's designee; and
(8) The Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services, or the commissioner's designee.
(c) Any member of the task force appointed under subdivision (1), (2), (3), (4), (5) or (6) of subsection (b) of this section may be a member of the General Assembly.
(d) All appointments to the task force shall be made not later than thirty days after the effective date of this section. Any vacancy shall be filled by the appointing authority.
(e) The speaker of the House of Representatives and the president pro tempore of the Senate shall select the chairpersons of the task force from among the members of the task force. Such chairpersons shall schedule the first meeting of the task force, which shall be held not later than sixty days after the effective date of this section.
(f) The administrative staff of the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to higher education and employment advancement and public health shall serve as administrative staff of the task force.
(g) Not later than January 1, 2020, the task force shall submit a report on its findings and recommendations to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to higher education and employment advancement and public health, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes. The task force shall terminate on the date that it submits such report or January 1, 2020, whichever is later.
Approved July 8, 2019
(b) The task force shall consist of the following members:
(1) Two appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, one of whom shall be a representative of a community or nonprofit provider of mental health treatment or services;
(2) Two appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, one of whom shall be a mental health care provider;
(3) One appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives;
(4) One appointed by the majority leader of the Senate;
(5) One appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives;
(6) One appointed by the minority leader of the Senate;
(7) The president of the Board of Regents for Higher Education, or the president's designee; and
(8) The Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services, or the commissioner's designee.
(c) Any member of the task force appointed under subdivision (1), (2), (3), (4), (5) or (6) of subsection (b) of this section may be a member of the General Assembly.
(d) All appointments to the task force shall be made not later than thirty days after the effective date of this section. Any vacancy shall be filled by the appointing authority.
(e) The speaker of the House of Representatives and the president pro tempore of the Senate shall select the chairpersons of the task force from among the members of the task force. Such chairpersons shall schedule the first meeting of the task force, which shall be held not later than sixty days after the effective date of this section.
(f) The administrative staff of the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to higher education and employment advancement and public health shall serve as administrative staff of the task force.
(g) Not later than January 1, 2020, the task force shall submit a report on its findings and recommendations to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to higher education and employment advancement and public health, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes. The task force shall terminate on the date that it submits such report or January 1, 2020, whichever is later.
Approved July 8, 2019
