By: Campbell S.B. No. 674

(In the Senate - Filed February 20, 2015; February 24, 2015, read first time and referred to Committee on Education; May 5, 2015, reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 11, Nays 0; May 5, 2015, sent to printer.) Click here to see the committee vote

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 674 By: Campbell

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to instruction regarding mental health, substance abuse, and youth suicide in educator training programs.

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

SECTION 1. Section 21.044(c-1), Education Code, is amended 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 regarding mental health, substance abuse, and youth suicide. The instruction required must:

(1) be provided through a program selected from the list of recommended best practice-based programs established under Section 161.325, Health and Safety Code; and

(2) include effective strategies for teaching and intervening with students with mental or emotional disorders, including de-escalation techniques and positive behavioral interventions and supports [in detection of students with mental or emotional disorders].

SECTION 2. Section 21.044(c-2), Education Code, is repealed.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.

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