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AN ACT
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relating to a requirement that certain entering students at a |
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general academic teaching institution receive information |
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regarding mental health and suicide prevention services. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 51.9194 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 51.9194. REQUIRED INFORMATION FOR ENTERING STUDENTS |
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REGARDING MENTAL HEALTH AND SUICIDE PREVENTION SERVICES. (a) A |
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general academic teaching institution shall provide to each |
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entering full-time undergraduate, graduate, or professional |
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student, including each full-time undergraduate, graduate, or |
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professional student who transfers to the institution, information |
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about: |
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(1) available mental health and suicide prevention |
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services offered by the institution or by any associated |
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organizations or programs; and |
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(2) early warning signs that are often present in and |
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appropriate intervention for a person who may be considering |
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suicide. |
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(b) The information required under this section: |
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(1) may be provided through: |
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(A) a live presentation; or |
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(B) a format that allows for student interaction, |
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such as an online program or video; and |
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(2) may not be provided in a paper format only. |
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SECTION 2. Section 51.9194, Education Code, as added by |
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this Act, applies to full-time entering students who are admitted |
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to an undergraduate, graduate, or professional degree program at a |
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general academic teaching institution beginning with the 2016 fall |
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semester. |
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SECTION 3. 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, 2015. |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1624 passed the Senate on |
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May 13, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 21, Nays 10; and that |
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the Senate concurred in House amendment on May 30, 2015, by the |
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following vote: Yeas 20, Nays 11. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1624 passed the House, with |
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amendment, on May 27, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 129, |
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Nays 15, two present not voting. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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Approved: |
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______________________________ |
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Date |
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______________________________ |
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Governor |