1. (1) There is created the K-5 social and emotional health pilot program in the department to determine the impact of dedicated school mental health professionals in kindergarten through fifth grade in elementary schools that have high-poverty, high-need students. The pilot program is implemented within the selected pilot schools and administered by the department as a pilot program for four school years, unless extended by the general assembly. Subject to available appropriations or gifts, grants, or donations for the four-year term of the pilot program, pursuant to section 22-102-106, the department shall employ or contract with a pilot program coordinator and contract for preliminary and final program evaluations of the pilot program. The state board of education shall promulgate any rules necessary for the administration of the pilot program.

2. (2)

   1. (a) Subject to available appropriations or gifts, grants, or donations for the four-year term of the pilot program, no later than January 15 immediately preceding the first implementation year, the department shall select up to ten pilot schools to participate in the pilot program. If available appropriations and gifts, grants, or donations are insufficient to fully fund the pilot program, the department may select fewer than ten pilot schools to participate in the pilot program. The department shall select pilot schools that exhibit the characteristics set forth in subsection (2)(b) of this section and that are appropriate test schools to evaluate the impact and effectiveness of the pilot program. The pilot schools must demonstrate a willingness to participate in the pilot program and to collect the data and information necessary for the evaluation of the pilot program.
   2. (b) The department shall select pilot schools, including rural, small, and geographically diverse schools, which schools shall be located in a school district that has a high rate of youth suicide, attempted suicide, or suicidal ideation; have a high-poverty student population and a high percentage of students who experience or may experience food insecurity, as evidenced by the number or percentage of students in the school who are eligible for free and reduced-priced meals and distribute money for the pilot program to the pilot schools pursuant to subsection (2)(b.5) of this section.

   3. (b.5) The state board shall adopt rules to distribute money appropriated for purposes of the pilot program that consider the following factors in calculating a per-school distribution rate:

      1. (I) Each pilot school's current student-to-counselor ratio;
      2. (II) The number of students identified as at risk of dropping out of school due to chronic absenteeism;
      3. (III) Each pilot school's dropout rate;
      4. (IV) The pilot school's graduation rate; and
      5. (V) The number of students from diverse ethnic, cultural, and language backgrounds within their student populations, which may include students from refugee populations.
      6. (c) Prior to a selected school implementing the pilot program pursuant to this article 102, the school must notify all parents or legal guardians of students at the school of the school's selection as a pilot school.

Source: L. 2019: Entire article added, (HB 19-1017), ch. 156, p. 1848, § 1, effective August 2. L. 2020: (1) and (2)(a) amended, (HB 20-1418), ch. 197, p. 942, § 8, effective June 30. L. 2022: (1) and (2)(a) amended, (HB 22-1390), ch. 237, p. 1750, § 16, effective May 26. L. 2025: (2)(b) amended and (2)(b.5) added, (SB 25-178), ch. 148, p. 563, § 1, effective August 6.

Cross references: For the legislative declaration in HB 20-1418, see section 1 of chapter 197, Session Laws of Colorado 2020. For the legislative declaration in HB 22-1390, see section 1 of chapter 237, Session Laws of Colorado 2022.