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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the establishment of a bullying prevention pilot |
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program for public schools. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 37, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 37.0835 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 37.0835. BULLYING PREVENTION PILOT PROGRAM. (a) In |
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this section: |
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(1) "Bullying" has the meaning assigned by Section |
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37.0832. |
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(2) "Pilot program" means the bullying prevention |
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pilot program established under this section. |
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(b) The agency shall: |
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(1) develop a bullying prevention pilot program to |
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reduce incidents of bullying on public school campuses; and |
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(2) award grants to eligible school districts to |
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implement the pilot program on district campuses. |
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(c) In developing the pilot program under Subsection (b), |
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the agency shall: |
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(1) use research-based best practices for the |
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prevention of bullying; and |
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(2) collaborate with qualified experts and |
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researchers with experience in child and youth psychology, mental |
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health, and education. |
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(d) From funds appropriated for the purpose, the |
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commissioner shall award grants to school districts that |
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demonstrate a substantial need for bullying prevention, as |
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determined by the commissioner. A school district that is awarded a |
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grant under this subsection shall implement the pilot program at |
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not more than three campuses in the district. |
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(e) The agency shall use funds appropriated for purposes of |
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the pilot program under this section to provide technical |
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assistance to grant recipients. The agency may provide technical |
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assistance through regional education service centers. |
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(f) The commissioner shall: |
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(1) establish application criteria for a school |
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district to apply to receive a grant under this section; and |
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(2) determine allowable uses of grant funds by a |
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school district under this section. |
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(g) The commissioner may use funds otherwise available and |
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may solicit or accept grants or donations to implement this |
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section. |
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(h) The commissioner shall adopt rules as necessary to |
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implement this section. |
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(i) The commissioner is not required to develop the pilot |
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program or award grants under this section unless money is |
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specifically appropriated for that purpose. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |