|
|
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
relating to a list of best practice-based programs and |
|
research-based practices in certain areas for implementation in |
|
public schools. |
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
SECTION 1. Section 161.325, Health and Safety Code, is |
|
amended by amending Subsections (a), (a-1), (b), and (c) and adding |
|
Subsection (a-3) to read as follows: |
|
(a) The department, in coordination with the Texas |
|
Education Agency and regional education service centers, shall |
|
provide and annually update a list of recommended best |
|
practice-based programs and research-based practices in the areas |
|
specified under Subsection (a-1) for implementation in public |
|
elementary, junior high, middle, and high schools within the |
|
general education setting. Each school district may select from |
|
the list a program or programs appropriate for implementation in |
|
the district. |
|
(a-1) The list must include programs and practices in the |
|
following areas: |
|
(1) early mental health intervention; |
|
(2) building skills related to managing emotions, |
|
establishing and maintaining positive relationships, and |
|
responsible decision-making [mental health promotion and positive
|
|
youth development]; |
|
(3) substance abuse prevention; |
|
(4) substance abuse intervention; [and] |
|
(5) suicide prevention; |
|
(6) trauma-informed practices; |
|
(7) positive school climates; and |
|
(8) positive behavior supports. |
|
(a-3) For purposes of Subsection (a-1), "school climate" |
|
means the quality and character of school life, including |
|
interpersonal relationships, teaching and learning practices, and |
|
organizational structures, as experienced by students enrolled in |
|
the school district, parents of those students, and personnel |
|
employed by the district. |
|
(b) The suicide prevention programs on the list must include |
|
components that provide for training counselors, teachers, nurses, |
|
administrators, and other staff, as well as law enforcement |
|
officers and social workers who regularly interact with students, |
|
to: |
|
(1) recognize students at risk of committing suicide, |
|
including students who are or may be the victims of or who engage in |
|
bullying; |
|
(2) recognize students displaying early warning signs |
|
and a possible need for early mental health or substance abuse |
|
intervention, which warning signs may include declining academic |
|
performance, depression, anxiety, isolation, unexplained changes |
|
in sleep or eating habits, and destructive behavior toward self and |
|
others; and |
|
(3) intervene effectively with students described by |
|
Subdivision (1) or (2) by providing notice and referral to a parent |
|
or guardian so appropriate action, such as seeking mental health or |
|
substance abuse services, may be taken by a parent or guardian. |
|
(c) In developing the list of best practice-based programs |
|
and research-based practices, the department and the Texas |
|
Education Agency shall consider: |
|
(1) any existing suicide prevention method developed |
|
by a school district; and |
|
(2) 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. 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 and |
|
research-based practices 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. |
|
SECTION 3. 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. |
|
|
|
______________________________ |
______________________________ |
|
President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
|
|
|
I certify that H.B. No. 4056 was passed by the House on May 4, |
|
2017, by the following vote: Yeas 143, Nays 0, 2 present, not |
|
voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B. |
|
No. 4056 on May 21, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 134, Nays 4, |
|
2 present, not voting. |
|
|
|
______________________________ |
|
Chief Clerk of the House |
|
|
I certify that H.B. No. 4056 was passed by the Senate, with |
|
amendments, on May 19, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays |
|
0. |
|
|
|
______________________________ |
|
Secretary of the Senate |
|
APPROVED: __________________ |
|
Date |
|
|
|
__________________ |
|
Governor |