85R5695 MM-D

By: Turner H.B. No. 3143

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to mental health professional staffing requirements at certain public institutions of higher education.

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

SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 51.9196 to read as follows:

Sec. 51.9196. MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL STAFFING REQUIREMENT. (a) In this section:

(1) "General academic teaching institution" and "public state college" have the meanings assigned by Section 61.003.

(2) "Mental health professional" has the meaning assigned by Section 164.003, Health and Safety Code.

(b) This section applies only to a general academic teaching institution other than a public state college.

(c) Beginning with the 2021-2022 academic year, an institution to which this section applies shall ensure that at least one full-time mental health professional is available at the institution for every 1,500 students enrolled in a full course load at the institution.

(c-1) Beginning with the 2018-2019 academic year, an institution to which this section applies shall ensure that at least one full-time mental health professional is available at the institution for every 1,750 students enrolled in a full course load at the institution. This subsection expires September 1, 2021.

(d) The mental health professional to student ratio required by this section does not include students who attend the institution through online coursework only.

(e) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall adopt rules as necessary to administer this section.

SECTION 2. 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, 2017.