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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to bullying prevention in public schools, including the |
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establishment of a bullying prevention program. |
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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 Sections 37.0833 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 37.0833. BULLYING PREVENTION PILOT PROGRAM. (a) In |
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this section, "bullying" has the meaning assigned by Section |
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37.0832. |
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(b) The commissioner shall establish and administer a |
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bullying prevention pilot program to help reduce incidents of |
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bullying in public schools. |
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(c) In establishing the bullying prevention program under |
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Subsection (b), the commissioner may collaborate with: |
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(1) qualified experts and researchers in the areas of |
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child and youth wellbeing, mental health, and education; and |
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(2) other appropriate stakeholders. |
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(d) Using funds appropriated for that purpose, the |
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commissioner shall establish and administer a grant program under |
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which a school district that demonstrates a substantial need for |
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bullying prevention may receive a grant to implement the bullying |
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prevention pilot program at no more than three campuses within the |
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district. |
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(e) The commissioner shall establish application criteria |
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for receipt of a grant under this section. |
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(f) The commissioner shall establish allowable uses of |
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grant funds under this section. |
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(g) The agency shall use funds allocated for the grant |
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program under this section to provide technical assistance to grant |
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recipients under this section, including through regional |
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education service centers. |
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(h) The commissioner shall adopt rules to implement this |
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section. |
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(i) The commissioner may use funds otherwise available, |
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including funds provided through grants or donations sought and |
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accepted by the agency, to implement this section. If funds are not |
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appropriated to implement this section, the commissioner is not |
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required to implement the provisions of this section. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |