FRANKFORT, Ky -- A bill that would require a mental health worker in every school district, but offers no plan to pay for it. The bill by State Rep. Will Coursey (D - Marshall County) would require one mental health professional in every school district for every 1500 students in the district. The measure is in response to the Marshall County High School shooting spree, and the desire is for these professionals to work with students who may be susceptible to ideas of committing such acts of violence.
The main question concerning the measure was finding the funds in a tight budget year to fund the positions. Coursey says the legislature has spent money on other important issues, but none is more important than saving lives The measure passed with only a single no vote, and now heads to the Kentucky Senate.