BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 743

By: Farrar

Public Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

According to interested parties, the role of public school social workers is not currently defined in the context of the Education Code, which impedes the awareness of school administrators with regard to the impact school social workers can have on students in an academic setting. H.B. 743 seeks to address this issue by setting out the services a school social worker may provide to students and families in a public school or district.

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

H.B. 743 amends the Education Code to authorize a social worker to provide social work services to students and families in a public school or public school district and to require a social worker to collaborate with school administrators and other school professionals in order to enhance students' learning environments. The bill defines "social work services" as services specialized to assist students and families and designed to alleviate barriers to learning, connect the home, the community, and the school, promote advocacy, strengthen relationships, and assist with basic and psychosocial needs. The bill's provisions apply beginning with the 2017-2018 school year.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2017.