83R4483 MEW-F

By: Coleman H.B. No. 3225

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to training for public school educators in identifying mental health and suicide risks among students.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 161.325, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Subsection (c-1) and amending Subsection (d) to read as follows:

(c-1) Each school district shall provide training described in the components set forth under Subsection (b) for teachers, counselors, principals, and all other appropriate personnel. A school district may implement a program on the list to satisfy the requirements of this subsection.

(d) The board of trustees of each school district shall [may] adopt a policy concerning early mental health intervention and suicide prevention that:

(1) establishes a procedure for providing notice of a recommendation for early mental health intervention regarding a student to a parent or guardian of the student within a reasonable amount of time after the identification of early warning signs as described by Subsection (b)(2);

(2) establishes a procedure for providing notice of a student identified as at risk of committing suicide to a parent or guardian of the student within a reasonable amount of time after the identification of early warning signs as described by Subsection (b)(2);

(3) establishes that the district may develop a reporting mechanism and may designate at least one person to act as a liaison officer in the district for the purposes of identifying students in need of early mental health intervention or suicide prevention; and

(4) sets out available counseling alternatives for a parent or guardian to consider when their child is identified as possibly being in need of early mental health intervention or suicide prevention.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.