AB-2460 Pupil health: mental health: model referral protocols

What happened

AB 2460 was enacted September 18 to address pupil behavioral-health referral protocols during local emergencies related to immigration enforcement or deportation of pupils or family members. The Department of Education must review and, as necessary, update its model referral protocols by July 1, 2027 to include equity-centered mental-health support guidance. A local educational agency has a separate July 1, 2028 deadline to review and, as necessary, update its own adopted referral policy. These are different actors and dates rather than an immediate uniform mandate for every community health provider.

A local updated policy can use the state model or be developed with school and community stakeholders and school-linked behavioral-health professionals. At a minimum it must address referrals to behavioral-health professionals and support services. Existing local policies can satisfy the requirement when they already contain the specified guidance. The statute’s findings explain the concern about disrupted attendance, family separation and unmet mental-health needs; implementation should focus on the actual referral and support provisions rather than treating the act as a new eligibility or clinical benefit rule.

Why it matters

School-linked providers may need referral coordination, but the law preserves review, existing-policy and locally developed alternatives.

Sources

• AB-2460 Pupil health: mental health: model referral protocols, bill historyOfficial · California Legislature · 2026-09-03 · Source review 2026-09-20
• AB-2460 Pupil health: mental health: model referral protocols, chaptered bill text (09/18/26 - Chaptered)Official · California Legislature · 2026-09-21 · Source review 2026-10-15
• Official retained source documentOfficial · Official issuing agency · Source review 2026-10-16
• Official retained source documentOfficial · Official issuing agency · Source review 2026-10-16