North Carolina legislation · 2025-2026 Session
North Carolina H1159: Investing in Teen Mental Health.
Status: In committee, May 4, 2026
What the bill says
An act appropriating funds to the department of health and human services, division of child and family well-being, to expand access to teen mental health first aid training and youth mental health first aid training.
From the introduced text:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT APPROPRIATING FUNDS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DIVISION OF CHILD AND FAMILY WELL-BEING, TO EXPAND ACCESS TO TEEN MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TRAINING AND YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TRAINING. Whereas, ten percent (10%) of North Carolina's high school students reported having attempted suicide in the last year and twenty-two percent (22%) of these same students reported having seriously contemplated suicide; and Whereas, in 5 teens in the United States will likely experience a mental health challenge by the age of 18 and sixty-four percent (64%) of these teens are unlikely to seek professional help; and Whereas, Teen Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an evidence-based course developed to teach teens who are in grades nine through twelve, or ages 14 through 18, how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among their friends and peers; and Whereas, the Teen MHFA curriculum covers common signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges in this age group and how to connect teens with trusted and responsible adults for support and assistance during a mental health or substance use crisis; and Whereas, The University of North Carolina has trained a total of 7,527 individuals in Youth and Teen MHFA in 44 counties across …
Sponsors
- Lofton, Brandon (D, 104) · primary sponsor
- Lambeth, Donny (R, 75) · primary sponsor
- White, Donna McDowell (R, 26) · primary sponsor
- Crawford, Sarah (D, 66) · primary sponsor
- Alston, Vernetta (D, 29)
- Baker, Amber M. (D, 72)
- Ball, Cynthia (D, 49)
- Belk, Mary (D, 88)
- Brown, Gloristine (D, 8)
- Brown, Terry M. (D, 92)
- Buansi, Allen (D, 56)
- Butler, Deb (D, 18)
Latest actions
- : Ref to the Com on Appropriations, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
- : Passed 1st Reading
- : Filed
Subjects: COUNSELING, BUDGETING, MENTAL HEALTH, DHHS, HEALTH SERVICES, MINORS, PUBLIC, APPROPRIATIONS
Common questions
- What is H1159?
- H1159 is a bill in the North Carolina Legislature (2025-2026 Session): Investing in Teen Mental Health.
- What does H1159 do?
- In its own words: An act appropriating funds to the department of health and human services, division of child and family well-being, to expand access to teen mental health first aid training and youth mental health first aid training.
- What is the status of H1159?
- In committee as of May 4, 2026. Latest action: Ref to the Com on Appropriations, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House (May 4, 2026).
- Who sponsored H1159?
- Lofton, Brandon (D, 104), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for H1159?
- On the North Carolina Legislature website: https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/H1159
Source: official North Carolina record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.