Illinois public schools are one step closer to universal mental health screenings for students.

The Illinois House passed Senate Bill 726 which directs the Illinois State Board of Education to assess school districts’ readiness for universal mental health screening of students. The measure passed the Senate unanimously earlier this month.

“We are in a children’s mental health crisis,” said state Rep. Lindsey LaPointe, D-Chicago, the bill’s House sponsor. “I, others in this chamber and the executive branch leaders believe that we have to be thoughtful and systematic in our work to build up the system.”