Transformative Changes supports HB 1113 because it advances a healing-centered approach to student mental health by recognizing that effective support must be culturally responsive and language-appropriate. Students bring their full identities, experiences, and stressors into the classroom, and when mental health services fail to reflect those realities, harm and disengagement can deepen—especially for Black, Brown, immigrant, and multilingual students. By directing the Department of Education to provide clear guidance and enabling school divisions to adopt inclusive policies, HB 1113 helps schools move beyond one-size-fits-all interventions toward care that builds trust, belonging, and resilience. This bill is a meaningful step toward school environments that promote healing, safety, and long-term wellbeing for all students.

New Virginia Majority supports HB 1113 because it helps ensure that students across the Commonwealth can access mental health supports that are culturally responsive and language-appropriate. Students’ mental health needs do not exist in a vacuum, and when supports fail to reflect students’ cultural backgrounds or language needs, they are less effective and can deepen existing inequities. By directing the Department of Education to provide guidance and enabling school boards to adopt thoughtful, inclusive policies, HB 1113 equips school divisions with tools to better serve diverse student populations, improve student wellbeing, and create learning environments where all students feel understood, supported, and able to thrive.

The Legal Aid Justice Center is a statewide legal aid nonprofit that works with young people and families on education, mental health, and restorative justice issues. LAJC supports HB 1113 because it would ensure that mental health support, a vital resource in schools, is accessible to all students and families regardless of their language and background. Virginia currently ranks 32nd in the nation for access to youth mental health care (according to 2025 Mental Health in America Report) and in the most recent Virginia Survey of School Climate and Conditions (2025), non-white minority students generally reported disproportionately higher rates of mental health concerns. Implementing culturally responsive and language appropriate standards for mental health resources in schools means ensuring that all students, especially those experiencing disproportionate challenges, can access quality mental health in their times of need. We urge the committee to support HB 1113 to ensure that all students in the Commonwealth can receive quality and accessible mental health resources.

Students are more likely to benefit from mental health support when services reflect their cultural backgrounds and are provided in a language they understand. When supports are not culturally responsive or accessible, students and families may go without care or feel disconnected from the school system. Providing guidance and policies that promote culturally responsive and language-appropriate mental health services helps ensure that all students feel seen, understood, and supported. This is especially important for students from diverse communities who may already face barriers to accessing care.

I oppose mental health services from the public school systems. The family must be responsible for their children’s lives instead of government intervention. This doesn’t help encourage parents to be responsible and enables them more than ever.

I support this bill in expanding information and access on mental health resources.