Race Day Live A new bill in Utah is causing a lot of debate. The bill, called HB281, would require school mental health professionals to get parental consent before giving therapy to students.
Supporters say it helps parents have more control over their children’s care, but critics argue that it could harm students by restricting what they can talk about in therapy.
The bill was introduced by Rep. Stephanie Gricius, a Republican from Eagle Mountain. It recently passed the Utah House Education Committee with an 11-2 vote and is now moving forward for further consideration.
Under the bill, emergency mental health support would still be allowed, but for any non-emergency therapy sessions, parents must be informed.
One of the most controversial aspects of the bill is that parents would be allowed to provide a list of topics that cannot be discussed during therapy.
This means that even if a student wants to talk about certain issues, the therapist would be restricted from addressing them. However, the bill does allow students to report cases of abuse or neglect, even if those topics are on the restricted list.
Many mental health professionals are speaking out against the bill. Larissa Archuleta, a licensed clinical social worker, pointed out that Utah already requires parental consent for mental health screenings in schools.
But she believes banning certain topics could create serious problems. According to her, it goes against the ethical guidelines of mental health professionals and could prevent students from getting the help they need.
She also warned that the bill might stop students from opening up about serious issues, including those related to safety and well-being.
Rep. Karianne Lisonbee, another supporter of the bill, defended the decision. She argued that since children cannot legally consent to therapy on their own, parents should be the ones making decisions about their mental health care.
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She also said that therapy was never originally part of the education system and should not interfere with a parent’s right to oversee their child’s care.
Some parents and conservative groups support the bill, saying it strengthens parental rights. Brooke Stevens, a parent, shared her concerns about therapists asking children about topics like suicide.
She believes parents should have the power to prevent such discussions if they feel it is not appropriate for their child.
However, others worry that restricting therapy topics could be dangerous. Kevin Labresh, a psychologist in the Davis School District, explained that his district already follows a system where parents are informed about therapy sessions and treatment plans.
But there are no restrictions on what topics students can discuss. He warned that banning certain topics might interfere with the trust between students and therapists.
He also pointed out that students often move from one topic to another quickly, making it difficult to enforce such restrictions.
Most lawmakers on the committee supported the bill. Lisonbee emphasized that the law would place responsibility for children’s mental health back in the hands of parents.
She also argued that while some people believe parents are not always the best advocates for their children, the government should not be the one deciding who is. She believes that failing to pass the bill could put children at risk.
The debate over HB281 is far from over. Supporters see it as a way to protect parental rights, while opponents fear it could prevent students from receiving necessary mental health care.
As the bill moves forward, Utah lawmakers will have to decide whether the need for parental oversight outweighs the concerns raised by mental health experts.
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