Securing schools: Senator Nelson pushing for mental health care

SANFORD, Fla. (FOX 35 WOFL) - School districts are preparing to spend the summer putting the Marjory Stoneman Douglas School Safety Plan in place. 

Mental health is a component of that and the bill that Senator Nelson is introducing would require the U.S. Department of Education to get involved too.

Nelson wants the Department of Education to determine which areas of the country have a shortage of mental health professionals. Then it would provide grants to colleges that would train professionals to work in those schools.

Nelson's office says that he's been working on the bill since the Parkland shooting and the tragedy in Texas renewed the sense of urgency. He will introduce the bill as early as tomorrow.

This is all happening as teachers, parents, and lawmakers gather at Seminole State College on Tuesday to work through school safety issues. They will be led by a representative of the Florida Police Chiefs Association.