By: Van de Putte S.B. No. 1352

(Alvarado)

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to inclusion of mental health concerns in existing state and local coordinated school health efforts.

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

SECTION 1. Section 28.004, Education Code, is amended by amending Subsections (c) and (d) and adding Subsection (l-1) to read as follows:

(c) The local school health advisory council's duties include recommending:

(1) the number of hours of instruction to be provided in health education;

(2) policies, procedures, strategies, and curriculum appropriate for specific grade levels designed to prevent obesity, cardiovascular disease, [and] Type 2 diabetes, and mental health concerns through coordination of:

(A) health education;

(B) physical education and physical activity;

(C) nutrition services;

(D) parental involvement; [and]

(E) instruction to prevent the use of tobacco;

(F) school health services;

(G) counseling and guidance services;

(H) a safe and healthy school environment; and

(I) school employee wellness; and

(3) appropriate grade levels and methods of instruction for human sexuality instruction[; and

[(4) strategies for integrating the curriculum components specified by Subdivision (2) with the following elements in a coordinated school health program for the district:

[(A) school health services;

[(B) counseling and guidance services;

[(C) a safe and healthy school environment; and

[(D) school employee wellness].

(d) The board of trustees shall appoint at least five members to the local school health advisory council. A majority of the members must be persons who are parents of students enrolled in the district and who are not employed by the district. One of those members shall serve as chair or co-chair of the council. The board of trustees also may appoint one or more persons from each of the following groups or a representative from a group other than a group specified under this subsection:

(1) public school teachers;

(2) public school administrators;

(3) district students;

(4) health care professionals;

(5) the business community;

(6) law enforcement;

(7) senior citizens;

(8) the clergy;

(9) nonprofit health organizations; [and]

(10) local domestic violence programs;

(11) local community mental health providers; and

(12) local substance abuse services providers.

(l-1) The local school health advisory council shall:

(1) review the adopted health education curriculum for accuracy and content related to mental health and consider the inclusion of the following topics:

(A) recognition of signs and symptoms related to mental illness;

(B) mental health stigmas;

(C) substance abuse; and

(D) stress management;

(2) make recommendations regarding professional development designed to promote the ability of school district staff to build positive relationships with students, increase school connectedness, and improve recognition and understanding of mental health issues; and

(3) make policy recommendations to the school district concerning the integration of social and emotional learning into the academic curriculum.

SECTION 2. Subsection (a), Section 38.013, Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) The agency shall make available to each school district one or more coordinated health programs designed to prevent obesity, cardiovascular disease, [and] Type 2 diabetes, and mental health concerns in elementary school, middle school, and junior high school students. Each program must provide for coordinating:

(1) health education;

(2) physical education and physical activity;

(3) nutrition services; [and]

(4) parental involvement; and

(5) physical and mental health policies, services, and supports.

SECTION 3. 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.