By: Deuell  S.B. No. 460
         (In the Senate - Filed February 8, 2013; February 13, 2013,
  read first time and referred to Committee on Education; March 18,
  2013, referred to Committee on Higher Education; April 22, 2013,
  reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the
  following vote:  Yeas 7, Nays 0; April 22, 2013, sent to printer.)
 
  COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 460 By:  Birdwell
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to inclusion of instruction in the detection and education
  of students with mental or emotional disorders in the requirements
  for educator training programs.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 21.044, Education Code, is amended by
  adding Subsections (c-1) and (c-2) to read as follows:
         (c-1)  Any minimum academic qualifications for a certificate
  specified under Subsection (a) that require a person to possess a
  bachelor's degree must also require that the person receive, as
  part of the training required to obtain that certificate,
  instruction in detection of students with mental or emotional
  disorders.
         (c-2)  The instruction under Subsection (c-1) must:
               (1)  be developed by a panel of experts in the diagnosis
  and treatment of mental or emotional disorders who are appointed by
  the board; and
               (2)  include information on:
                     (A)  characteristics of the most prevalent mental
  or emotional disorders among children;
                     (B)  identification of mental or emotional
  disorders;
                     (C)  effective strategies for teaching and
  intervening with students with mental or emotional disorders,
  including de-escalation techniques and positive behavioral
  interventions and supports; and
                     (D)  providing, in compliance with Section
  38.010, notice and referral to a parent or guardian of a student
  with a mental or emotional disorder so that the parent or guardian
  may take appropriate action such as seeking mental health services.
         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, 2013.
 
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