Overview

• Governor JB Pritzker signed SB 1560 on July 31, making Illinois the first state to mandate annual mental health screenings for public school students in grades 3–12 starting in the 2027–28 school year.
• The Illinois State Board of Education must develop screening tools and implementation guidance by September 1, 2026 to prepare districts for the new mandate.
• State officials emphasize that the screenings are non-diagnostic assessments aimed at flagging early signs of anxiety, depression or trauma to shift support toward prevention.
• Parents and policy experts warn that vague opt-out rules and unclear protocols for data privacy and follow-up referrals could undermine parental authority and student confidentiality.
• Advocates say forthcoming ISBE guidance must clarify responsibility for administering assessments, protecting student data and coordinating referrals for additional evaluation or services.