By:  Shapleigh                                                    S.B. No. 491


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to an assessment of school-based mental health and 
substance abuse programs.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  (a)  The Texas Education Agency, in conjunction 
with the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, 
the Texas Department of Health, and the Texas Commission on Alcohol 
and Drug Abuse, shall assess existing school-based mental health 
and substance abuse programs.  The assessment must include 
recommendations regarding further development of such programs, 
including the incorporation of information regarding substance 
abuse prevention, mental health education, and access to related 
services.
	(b)  The Texas Education Agency shall report on the results 
of the assessment to the 79th Legislature not later than January 11, 
2005.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2003.