Enrolled Bill Summary

Senate Bill 532	Senate Author:  West et al.
Effective:  9-1-23	House Sponsor:  Kuempel et al.

            Senate Bill 532 amends the Education Code to lower from five to three years the cap on the number of years a mental health professional may receive student loan repayment assistance and to raise the authorized annual amount of repayment assistance accordingly. The bill extends eligibility for such assistance to mental health professionals providing services to patients in a state hospital or to individuals receiving community‑based mental health services from a local mental health authority. The bill requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to administer the loan repayment program in a manner that, as program openings occur, allows for the continuous consideration and acceptance of applicants.

Senate Bill 532 extends eligibility for the math and science scholars loan repayment program to teachers at any public school, rather than only schools that receive certain federal funding as provided under current law.

Senate Bill 532 revises the requirement for a general academic teaching institution to provide specified information regarding mental health and suicide prevention services to each entering full‑time student by making that requirement applicable to all public institutions of higher education and all entering students and by requiring the provision of a campus map identifying any location at which mental health services are provided to students on campus and information regarding how to access the services. The bill requires a tour provided during an on‑campus orientation for entering students to identify at least one such location that is available for use by all students of the institution.