Appropriation; Dept. of Education for funding the Student 24/7 Teletherapy Pilot Project.

HB 1823 allocates $2.4 million from the Education Enhancement Fund to the Mississippi State Department of Education for the Student 24/7 Teletherapy Pilot Project. This funding supports teletherapy services for students in participating schools during the 2026-2027 fiscal year, as established under HB 1463 (2026 session). The bill provides the necessary financial resources to implement the pilot program, which offers remote mental health support to students outside regular school hours. It directly affects Mississippi public school students and participating school districts by expanding access to teletherapy services. The appropriation is specific to the pilot project’s operational costs and does not create new permanent programs.