S.Amdt. 6054

This amendment proposes to add a new section to bill S. 4784 to create a pilot program for routine mental wellness screenings in schools run by the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA).

The goal of this amendment is to establish a system for the early identification of distress in students in grades 6 through 12. It aims to add the following to the bill:

• Screening Process: The program would provide nondiagnostic screenings to identify internalizing concerns like anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts or behaviors to refer students to existing supports.
• Implementation: The Secretary of Defense will select three DoDEA schools, one from each geographic region, to participate. Screenings would happen annually and during high-stress times, such as moving to a new school due to a permanent change in station.
• Parental Involvement: The program is designed as "opt-out," meaning parents must be notified in writing and can prevent their children from participating. Parents must also be notified if results show a need for follow-up support.
• Protections and Limits: The screenings are intended to identify a need for support, not to diagnose conditions. They cannot be used for disciplinary or punitive purposes, and the data must be kept confidential according to Federal privacy laws.
• Timeline and Oversight: The program will be evaluated every 180 days and will terminate 3 years after it is implemented. A final report on cost effectiveness and efficiency must be submitted to the Senate and House Committees on Armed Services.