A $32 million proposal that would help Utah schools in hiring more therapists passed in the House on Monday despite ongoing concerns about the “pretty big fiscal note.”
HB373 — which has the single largest ongoing funding request for any education measure this session — would spread the money among all public K-12 schools in the state to fund more licensed counselors and nurses, with several districts pointing to a critical shortage. Rep. Steve Eliason, the measure’s sponsor, said it’s specifically intended for schools that have a high number of students who have experienced trauma.
The proposed $32 million, still pending final approval, would be given to the Utah Board of Education to run a mental health grant program.