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By:  Shapleigh                                                    S.B. No. 1703


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to providing children mental health and substance abuse 
services, including school-based services.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 21.050(b), Education Code, is amended to 
read as follows:
	(b)  The board may not require more than 18 semester credit 
hours of education courses at the baccalaureate level for the 
granting of a teaching certificate.  The board shall provide for a 
minimum number of semester credit hours of internship to be 
included in the hours needed for certification.  The board may 
propose rules requiring additional credit hours for certification 
in bilingual education, English as a second language, early 
childhood education, or special education.  Within existing 
curriculum, the board shall provide for training in early 
identification of and referral strategies for students with mental 
health and substance abuse problems to be included in the 
requirements for certification.
	SECTION 2.  Section 21.054(a), Education Code, is amended to 
read as follows:
	(a)  The board shall propose rules establishing a process for 
identifying continuing education courses and programs that fulfill 
educators' continuing education requirements, including courses 
relating to training in early identification of and referral 
strategies for students with mental health and substance abuse 
problems.
	SECTION 3.  Subchapter A, Chapter 38, Education Code, is 
amended by adding Section 38.025 to read as follows:
	Sec. 38.025.  LOCAL SCHOOL HEALTH ADVISORY COUNCIL AND 
MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE COORDINATION.  A local school 
health advisory council established under Section 28.004 shall make 
recommendations to the board of trustees of the school district 
regarding coordination of existing school-based mental health and 
substance abuse services and further development of those services, 
including the incorporation of information regarding substance 
abuse prevention, mental health education, and access to related 
services.
	SECTION 4.  Subchapter D, Chapter 1001, Health and Safety 
Code, is amended by adding Section 1001.0731 to read as follows:
	Sec. 1001.0731.  OFFICE OF CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH AND 
SUBSTANCE ABUSE.  (a)  The commissioner by rule shall establish an 
Office of Children's Mental Health and Substance Abuse to provide 
services to children in this state.
	(b)  To ensure the quality of mental health and substance 
abuse services and delivery of those services, the department, 
through the office established under Subsection (a), shall 
collaborate with:
		(1)  state agencies and local governments that provide 
education services and mental health and alcohol and drug 
prevention and treatment services;
		(2)  consumers of mental health and alcohol and drug 
prevention and treatment services; and
		(3)  families of children requiring mental health and 
alcohol and drug prevention and treatment services.
	SECTION 5.  The commissioner of state health services shall 
adopt rules establishing the Office of Children's Mental Health and 
Substance Abuse not later than January 1, 2006.
	SECTION 6.  Sections 1-3 of this Act apply beginning with the 
2005-2006 school year.
	SECTION 7.  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, 2005.