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BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

 

C.S.S.B. 1624

By: Rodríguez

Higher Education

Committee Report (Substituted)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

Concerned parties note that suicide and depression are far too common among older teens, college age youth, and young adults. C.S.S.B. 1624 seeks to decrease the incidence of suicide and depression among the teens, youth, and young adults of Texas.

 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

 

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

 

ANALYSIS

 

C.S.S.B. 1624 amends the Education Code to require a general academic teaching institution to provide to each entering full-time undergraduate, graduate, or professional student, including each full-time undergraduate, graduate, or professional student who transfers to the institution, information about available mental health and suicide prevention services offered by the institution or by any associated organizations or programs and about early warning signs that are often present in and appropriate intervention for a person who may be considering suicide. The bill authorizes such information to be provided through a live presentation or a format that allows for student interaction, such as an online program or video, and prohibits the information from being provided in a paper format only. The bill's provisions apply to full-time entering students who are admitted to an undergraduate, graduate, or professional degree program at a general academic teaching institution beginning with the 2016 fall semester.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2015.

 

COMPARISON OF SENATE ENGROSSED AND SUBSTITUTE

 

While C.S.S.B. 1624 may differ from the engrossed in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following comparison is organized and formatted in a manner that indicates the substantial differences between the engrossed and committee substitute versions of the bill.

 

SENATE ENGROSSED

HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE

SECTION 1.  Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 51.9194 to read as follows:

Sec. 51.9194.  REQUIRED INFORMATION FOR ENTERING STUDENTS REGARDING MENTAL HEALTH AND SUICIDE PREVENTION SERVICES.  (a)  A general academic teaching institution shall provide to each entering full-time undergraduate, graduate, or professional student, including each full-time undergraduate, graduate, or professional student who transfers to the institution, information about:

(1)  available mental health and suicide prevention services offered by the institution or by any associated organizations or programs; and

(2)  early warning signs that are often present in and appropriate intervention for a person who may be considering suicide.

(b)  The information required under this section:

(1)  may be provided through:

(A)  a live presentation; or

(B)  a format that allows for student interaction, such as an online program or video, and that lasts not more than 15 minutes; and

(2)  may not be provided in a paper format only.

 

SECTION 1.  Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 51.9194 to read as follows:

Sec. 51.9194.  REQUIRED INFORMATION FOR ENTERING STUDENTS REGARDING MENTAL HEALTH AND SUICIDE PREVENTION SERVICES.  (a)  A general academic teaching institution shall provide to each entering full-time undergraduate, graduate, or professional student, including each full-time undergraduate, graduate, or professional student who transfers to the institution, information about:

(1)  available mental health and suicide prevention services offered by the institution or by any associated organizations or programs; and

(2)  early warning signs that are often present in and appropriate intervention for a person who may be considering suicide.

(b)  The information required under this section:

(1)  may be provided through:

(A)  a live presentation; or

(B)  a format that allows for student interaction, such as an online program or video; and

(2)  may not be provided in a paper format only.

 

SECTION 2.  Section 51.9194, Education Code, as added by this Act, applies to full-time entering students who are admitted to an undergraduate, graduate, or professional degree program at a general academic teaching institution beginning with the 2016 fall semester.

 

SECTION 2. Same as engrossed version.

 

 

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, 2015.

 

SECTION 3. Same as engrossed version.