Springfield, IL (WAND) – Illinois will soon be one of the first states to provide universal mental health screenings for young children and teens. Sponsors believe the law will help students and families get the support they urgently need.
Parents and guardians will have the ability to opt out of screenings if they do not want their child to participate. House Republicans appreciate the intent of the law, but they said the devil is in the details.
“These screenings are geared toward identifying potential issues based upon answers given to specific questions,” said Rep. Steve Reick (R-Woodstock). “It’s only fair to ask what are the areas of concern to be addressed. We’re not able to be given the answers here. We don’t know.”
GOP leaders also said the law should allow families to opt into mental health screenings rather than having an opt-out process.
“We are talking about the epidemic of mental health that is plaguing our children throughout the state, regardless of what district you’re in,” said Rep. Bob Morgan (D-Highland Park). “I would have thought it would’ve been an agreed-upon principle that we would all want to help identify mental illness and support our students when necessary and wherever we can.”
The law passed out of the House on a 72-36 vote, but it received unanimous approval in the Senate.
School districts will start offering the mental health screenings during the 2027-2028 school year.
