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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to training for public school educators in identifying |
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mental health and suicide risks among students. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 161.325, Health and Safety Code, is |
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amended by adding Subsection (c-1) and amending Subsection (d) to |
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read as follows: |
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(c-1) Each school district shall provide training described |
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in the components set forth under Subsection (b) for teachers, |
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counselors, principals, and all other appropriate personnel. A |
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school district may implement a program on the list to satisfy the |
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requirements of this subsection. |
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(d) The board of trustees of each school district shall |
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[may] adopt a policy concerning early mental health intervention |
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and suicide prevention that: |
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(1) establishes a procedure for providing notice of a |
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recommendation for early mental health intervention regarding a |
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student to a parent or guardian of the student within a reasonable |
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amount of time after the identification of early warning signs as |
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described by Subsection (b)(2); |
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(2) establishes a procedure for providing notice of a |
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student identified as at risk of committing suicide to a parent or |
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guardian of the student within a reasonable amount of time after the |
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identification of early warning signs as described by Subsection |
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(b)(2); |
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(3) establishes that the district may develop a |
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reporting mechanism and may designate at least one person to act as |
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a liaison officer in the district for the purposes of identifying |
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students in need of early mental health intervention or suicide |
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prevention; and |
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(4) sets out available counseling alternatives for a |
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parent or guardian to consider when their child is identified as |
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possibly being in need of early mental health intervention or |
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suicide prevention. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |