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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a requirement that public institutions of higher |
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education provide certain information regarding mental health |
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services to entering students. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 51.9194, Education Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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Sec. 51.9194. REQUIRED INFORMATION FOR ENTERING STUDENTS |
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REGARDING MENTAL HEALTH AND SUICIDE PREVENTION SERVICES. (a) In |
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this section, "institution of higher education" has the meaning |
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assigned by Section 61.003. |
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(b) An institution of higher education [A general academic |
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teaching institution] shall provide to each entering [full-time] |
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undergraduate, graduate, or professional student, including each |
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[full-time] undergraduate, graduate, or professional student who |
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transfers to the institution, information about: |
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(1) available mental health and suicide prevention |
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services offered by the institution or by any associated |
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organizations or programs; and |
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(2) early warning signs that are often present in and |
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appropriate intervention for a person who may be considering |
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suicide. |
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(c) [(b)] The information required under this section: |
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(1) may be provided through: |
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(A) a live presentation; or |
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(B) a format that allows for student interaction, |
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such as an online program or video; [and] |
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(2) may not be provided in a paper format only; and |
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(3) must include a campus map identifying any location |
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at which mental health services are provided to students on campus |
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and information regarding how to access the services. |
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(d) If an institution of higher education provides a tour |
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during an on-campus orientation for entering students, the tour |
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must identify at least one location described by Subsection (c)(3) |
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that is available for use by all students of the institution. |
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SECTION 2. Section 51.9194, Education Code, as amended by |
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this Act, applies beginning with entering students at public |
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institutions of higher education for the 2023 fall semester. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |