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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to inclusion of instruction in the detection and education |
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of students with mental or emotional disorders in the requirements |
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for educator training programs. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 21.044, Education Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsections (c-1) and (c-2) to read as follows: |
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(c-1) Any minimum academic qualifications for a certificate |
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specified under Subsection (a) that require a person to possess a |
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bachelor's degree must also require that the person receive, as |
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part of the curriculum for that degree, instruction in detection |
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and education of students with mental or emotional disorders. |
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(c-2) The instruction under Subsection (c-1) must: |
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(1) be developed by a panel of experts in the diagnosis |
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and treatment of mental or emotional disorders who are appointed by |
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the board; and |
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(2) include information on: |
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(A) characteristics of the most prevalent mental |
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or emotional disorders among children; |
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(B) identification of mental or emotional |
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disorders; |
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(C) effective strategies for teaching and |
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intervening with students with mental or emotional disorders, |
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including de-escalation techniques; and |
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(D) providing, in compliance with Section |
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38.010, notice and referral to a parent or guardian of a student |
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with a mental or emotional disorder so that the parent or guardian |
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may take appropriate action such as seeking mental health services. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |