Students in third grade through high school will be able to receive free annual mental health screenings in Illinois public schools beginning in the 2027-28 school year.

The new requirement comes from Senate Bill 1560, which Gov. JB Pritzker signed into law July 31.

Some unknown factors remain surrounding the legislation.

School districts still don’t know what the screenings will look like, how they will be implemented, and where their funding will come from.

Still, some school leaders agree that proactive mental health support for students is needed.

‘National first’

Pritzker lauded the new law as “a national first worth celebrating” at a news conference after the legislation passed.

“Access to mental healthcare – especially for children – is too often overlooked or ignored," he

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