East Central Reporter

State Representative Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) has introduced two bills aimed at challenging a recent law that mandates mental health screenings for public school students in Illinois. The legislation, Senate Bill 1560, was signed by Governor J.B. Pritzker in July and requires public schools to offer mental health screenings to students in grades 3 through 12 beginning with the 2027-2028 school year. Students can opt out of these screenings, but the process may differ across school districts. Private schools and homeschooled students are not affected by the law.

Halbrook’s House Bill 4114 seeks to repeal the requirement that the Illinois State Board of Education create guidelines for these screenings in public schools. His second proposal, House Bill 4115, would change the opt-out procedure to an opt-in process, requiring parental consent before any student participates in a screening. The bill also stipulates that parents receive at least three written notifications each year by mail regarding the mental health screenings.

“Illinois just became the first state in the nation to mandate mental health screenings for all public-school students in grades 3-12,” Halbrook said. “Governor Pritzker signed this intrusive law and, unless parents proactively opt out, your child will be screened. Worse yet, there is no guarantee on who is conducting these screenings—or what worldview they bring with them. Schools are already failing at teaching the basics, adding this additional component is abhorrent. Democrats know no bounds to pushing their radical agendas—this law needs to be stopped.”

Under SB 1560, teachers or other school staff—not necessarily licensed mental health professionals—may conduct student evaluations. Halbrook argues this places extra responsibility on educators and allows government overreach into students’ lives.

“The same people who shut down schools, masked students, and caused serious mental health issues during the pandemic now want to pretend they can fix the crisis they helped create—by getting deeper into your child’s life without your consent. Let me be clear: this is not about helping kids, it’s about expanding the reach of the government into the minds of your children,” he said.

Halbrook’s proposals await consideration by state lawmakers.

Halbrook was elected as a Republican representative for Illinois' 107th House District in 2023, succeeding Blaine Wilhour.

For more information on Rep. Halbrook's legislative activity or to contact his office visit RepHalbrook.com or call (217) 342-0220.