A communication from the Department of Higher Education (see item 7066-1123 of Section 2 of Chapter 28 of the Acts of 2023) submitting the State University and Community College Mental Health Legislative report of the methodology used to distribute funds for fiscal year 2024

This bill is a procedural report submission (not a new law) from the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education. It details the methodology for distributing $4.49 million in state funds (split as $2.39 million to 15 community colleges and $2.1 million to 8 state universities) for mental health services during fiscal year 2024. The funds support crisis services, therapy, sexual assault response, substance use disorder help, and stress/anxiety assistance specifically targeting underrepresented students (students of color, low-income, first-generation, and other marginalized groups). The report fulfills a requirement under line item 7066-1123 of Chapter 28 of the 2023 Acts of the Massachusetts Legislature.