BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1754

By: Hernandez

Public Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Due to the isolation and distancing measures put in place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, students have lost access to their peers and important supportive networks. As such, suicide attempt and ideation rates have reportedly increased. There are calls for the state to do more to combat the high suicide rates among Texas youth. H.B. 1754 seeks to address this issue by mandating that public schools include the contact information for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on all student identification cards for grades six through twelve in order to increase awareness of mental health services available for students in dire need of help.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 1754 amends the Education Code to require each student identification card issued by a public school to a student in grade six or higher to have printed on the card the contact information for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. This requirement applies beginning with student identification cards issued for the 2022-2023 school year.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2021.