SB 2224: DOE; PUBLIC SCHOOLS; PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS; K-12; MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS; SCHOOL COUNSELORS; PSYCHOLOGISTS; SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS; SOCIAL WORKERS; REPORT TO LEGISLATURE; APPROPRIATION; GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURE CEILING EXCEEDED

Beginning with the 2028-2029 school year, requires each public school in the State, including charter schools, to employ, or retain under contract, at least one mental health professional for every 250 students enrolled, subject to certain conditions.  Requires the Department of Education to submit a progress report to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2027.  Appropriates moneys for the Department of Education to contract for mental health professionals and to establish an unspecified number of full‑time equivalent mental health professional positions within the Department of Education.