Subcommittee reports HB 2637 to affirm school staff mental‑health first‑aid training

Delegate Lavere Bolen presented HB 2637, which she said “comes at a direct recommendation from the joint subcommittee to study pandemic response and preparedness.” Bolen said the panel’s after‑action report recommended training for teachers and staff to recognize mental‑health issues in students and themselves.

The sponsor described the program developed by the Department of Education in consultation with DBHCS as “the mental health first aid training program.” She said, “This training program consists of 2 different parts, an adult component and an adolescent component.” The bill would codify the training as a permanent part of professional development for school staff across the Commonwealth.

No witnesses testified in opposition during the recorded hearing. The subcommittee moved and seconded a motion to report HB 2637; the clerk recorded the vote as 5 to 0 and the bill will proceed to the next step in the legislative process.

The sponsor emphasized the bill addresses growing mental‑health concerns among students and educators identified in pandemic after‑action work; the transcript records no budgetary figures or a fiscal note being discussed at the subcommittee hearing.