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Bill would place mental health workers in schools

The Morehead News - 3/19/2018

FRANKFORT - It was a debate "of passion moved by pain," lasting more than an hour on a bill that passed with only one no vote.

But Will Coursey, D-Symsonia, who represents Marshall County where two students were killed and 19 others injured in a shooting at Marshall County High School on Jan. 23, called it the best debate during his time in the General Assembly.

The debate was on Coursey's bill, which would require at least one mental health professional for every 1,500 students in public schools - if funding is available. It is co-sponsored by Rep. Steve Rudy, R-Paducah, whose district includes Heath High School, the site of a 1997 school shooting which killed three students and injured five others.

"I cannot think of a single endeavor more important than this one," Coursey said. "It will save lives and you cannot put a value on human life. Shame on us if we do not press the green (yes) button and pass this bill."

What little question there was about Coursey's bill involved cost. Coursey conceded the bill has "an indeterminable cost," but also said the bill says "if funding is available." He also pledged to work with Rudy, who chairs the House budget committee, to try to find funds to implement the bill's provisions.

On Jan. 23 of this year, a 15-year-old Marshall County student entered the school and began firing, killing Bailey Nicole Holt and Preston Ryan Cope, both 15-year-old students, and injuring 19 others.

Several former educators now in the House endorsed the measure even though lawmakers are facing a very tight budget. Most talked about the problems many school-age children face, some from broken or abusive homes where many adults are unemployed or suffer from substance abuse. Others said existing guidance counselors are overwhelmed with other duties, from lunchroom supervision to counseling students on academic matters or how to apply for college and student aid.

Rep. John "Bam" Carney, R-Campbellsville, chairs the Education Committee and teaches at Taylor County Schools. He characterized the bill as "an early investment. We will never know how much it saves in the long term."

Rep. Steve Riley, R-Glasgow, another former teacher and administrator, agreed existing guidance counselors are already overwhelmed.

"I lived this world. I worked in public schools for 31 years," Riley said. "Our students need to be listened to. So many have no adult to talk to."

Riley said there are two types of death: "there's physical dying and there's dying on the inside. So many of these students are dying on the inside. Two students died at Marshall County but we've got thousands dying on the inside."

Rep. Kevin Sinnette, D-Ashland, recalled a 1993 shooting at East Carter High School when a straight-A student who'd taught himself calculus shot a teacher and custodian.

"We've got to act. We've got to act today," Sinnette said. "If we don't, there's going to be more (school shootings)."

Some speakers contrasted the question raised about cost to a debate the day before on a bill to criminalize gang behavior, a bill estimated to cost about $19 million.

"What a difference a day makes," said Rep. Reginald Meeks, D-Louisville. "We had no problem with a bill costing $19 million to make sure a group of kids would be put in jail and now you want to raise a question about the cost of a bill that would keep those kids from being put in jail."

Rep. Chris Harris, D-Forest Hills, earlier this month said he will sacrifice his A rating from the National Rifle Association to support some sort of gun control.

"Just sending our thoughts and prayers to the parents of children being killed by violence just isn't enough," Harris said Friday as he endorsed Coursey's bill.

Despite the lengthy debate, the bill's fate was never in doubt.

"We were sent here to make a difference," Coursey said. "This bill accomplishes that."

His bill passed 81-1 and now goes to the Senate.

Ronnie Ellis writes for CNHI News Service and is based in Frankfort. Reach him at rellis@cnhi.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnhifrankfort.