Alaska2026Passed Legislature

SB41

Alaska SB 41: Mental Health Education in Public Schools

Last scannedSep 21, 2026, 12:32 AM

In one sentence

This law requires schools to notify parents at least two weeks before teaching mental health, allows parents to withdraw their children from these classes, and directs the state board to create science-based guidelines.

Requires local school boards to notify parents at least two weeks before providing instruction in mental health.
Allows parents to object to and withdraw their child from any activity, class, or program that includes instruction in mental health.
Directs the State Board of Education and Early Development to create guidelines for developmentally appropriate mental health lessons.
Mandates that these new guidelines must be based on medically and scientifically accurate content without unrelated political, ideological, or advocacy-oriented material.
Requires state agencies to consult with tribal groups and national organizations when writing the lesson plans.
Orders a report to lawmakers two years after the law takes effect describing how the guidelines were made.

The law does not state an exact date when these new rules will begin because the effective date is listed as blank.
School districts are encouraged to have health programs, but only mental health instruction has specific notification and withdrawal rules added here.

Plain language

Developmentally appropriate instruction: Teaching methods and content that match a student's age, maturity level, and ability to understand.
Withdrawal: The act of removing a child from a specific class or activity with the parent's permission so they do not attend it.

Official record

Validated

PUBLIC SCHOOLS: MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION An Act relating to mental health education.

Official activity

Changes

4 stored

AM 1

AM NO 1 FAILED Y19 N21 2509

AM 2

AM NO 2 FAILED Y20 N20 2510

AM 3

AM NO 3 FAILED Y20 N20 2511

AM 4

AM NO 4 ADOPTED UC 2512