Relating to requiring the counties particpating in the QMHP Pilot Program to have at least one qualified mental health professional in each public school in that county.

HB 3507 requires counties participating in a 10-county pilot program to ensure every public school has at least one qualified mental health professional (QMHP). A QMHP is defined as a professional registered with the West Virginia Board of Examiners in Counseling, and the bill explicitly classifies school counselors as QMHPs for this purpose. The pilot program, to be administered by the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education and Accountability, will operate for two years in 10 designated counties. This policy change directly affects public school students and staff in those 10 counties by mandating mental health support access in every school. The bill does not apply statewide but is limited to the designated pilot counties.