BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 4056
85R10410 SRS-F	By: Rose (Lucio)
	Education
	5/9/2017
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

As mental health issues have become more and more visible among Texas' public school students, the promotion of programs to address these students' unique needs has become a priority in order to maximize their academic potential. The Department of State Health Services (DSHS), in conjunction with the Texas Education Agency (TEA), already compiles a list of best practices programs for addressing mental health concerns, which schools may choose to reference when seeking to develop their own program offerings. However, concerned stakeholders note that the list of program topics could be strengthened through the inclusion of additional programs on, for example, promoting a positive school climate, practicing trauma-informed strategies, and implementing positive behavior interventions.

H.B. 4056 encourages the use of best practices to improve academic outcomes for these students by broadening the base of program topics covered by the list developed by DSHS and TEA. These additional existing programs, which will be provided as an optional resource for school districts to use at their discretion, will help schools better reach students with mental health concerns.

H.B. 4056 amends current law relating to certain research-based practices for use by public school personnel.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 161.325, Health and Safety Code, by amending Subsections (a), (a-2), and (c) and adding Subsection (a-3), as follows:

(a) Requires the Department of State Health Services (DSHS), in coordination with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and regional education service centers, to provide and annually update a list of recommended best practice-based programs (list) in the areas specified under Subsection (a-1) and research-based practices in the areas specified under Subsection (a-2) for implementation in public elementary, junior high, middle, and high schools within the general education setting.  Authorizes each school district to select from the list a program or programs or a practice or practices appropriate for implementation in the district.

(a-2) Requires that the list include research-based practices in the following areas: physical or emotional trauma intervention, social and emotional learning, positive school climate, and positive behavior supports.

(a-3) Requires DSHS, TEA, and each regional education service center to make the list easily accessible on their websites.

(c) Requires DSHS and TEA, in developing the list of programs and practices, to consider any existing suicide prevention method developed by a school district, and any Internet or online course or program developed in this state or another state that is based on best practices recognized by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration or the Suicide Prevention Resource Center.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2017.