| TO: | Honorable Four Price, Chair, House Committee on Public Health |
| FROM: | Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board |
| IN RE: | HB11 by Price (Relating to consideration of the mental health of public school students in training requirements for certain school employees, curriculum requirements, educational programs, state and regional programs and services, and health care services for students.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted |
| Fiscal Year | Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds |
|---|---|
| 2018 | ($284,497) |
| 2019 | ($243,603) |
| 2020 | ($243,603) |
| 2021 | ($243,603) |
| 2022 | ($243,603) |
| Fiscal Year | Probable Savings/(Cost) from General Revenue Fund 1 |
Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2017 |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | ($284,497) | 2.0 |
| 2019 | ($243,603) | 2.0 |
| 2020 | ($243,603) | 2.0 |
| 2021 | ($243,603) | 2.0 |
| 2022 | ($243,603) | 2.0 |
The bill would expand continuing education requirements for educators to include certain information related to educating diverse student populations; require staff development for educators to include training in recognizing signs of mental illness, behavioral health disorders, and substance abuse; and expand the enrichment curriculum requirements to include mental health with emphasis on instruction about mental illness, behavioral health disorders, and substance abuses.
The bill would require the Texas Education Agency (TEA), in coordination with the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), to establish and maintain a website to provide resources for school district or open-enrollment charter school employees regarding working with students with mental health conditions, students who engage in substance abuse, or students with physical needs. The bill would require TEA, in coordination with HHSC, to develop a website regarding certain resources regarding students with health needs.
The bill would amend local school health advisory council duties to include requirements that health education address mental health in addition to physical health, require the board of trustees to make a good faith effort to appoint a mental health professional to the council, and add certain information regarding the policies and procedures adopted and resources available related to physical and mental health. The bill would amend and expand the components of coordinated health programs to include additional focus on mental health and substance abuse education.
The bill would allow school districts to develop an interim intervention, support, or crisis plan to provide immediate services and supports to a student while the student's full individual and initial evaluation is being conducted and to employ nonphysician mental health professionals; boards of trustees to initiate a school-based health center at a school; and centers to focus more on mental health and substance abuse issues.
The bill would require TEA, in coordination with HHSC and the regional education service centers, to provide and annually update a list of recommended best practice-based programs related to certain mental and physical health promotion and intervention, substance abuse prevention and intervention, and suicide prevention. The bill would require the entities to publish the list on their websites in an easily accessible, searchable, and user-friendly format.
The bill would take effect September 1, 2017.
The bill would have an impact on the operations of the Texas Education Agency (TEA).
Costs Resulting from TEKS and Curriculum Review
Related to the operations of the TEA, the agency estimates costs to convene committees to review and modify the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and review existing coordinated school health programs to ensure alignment with the provisions of the bill. For the first committee, TEA estimates reviewing and modifying the health-related Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) standards to address mental health in kindergarten through Grade 12 and revising TEKS that address binge drinking and alcohol poisoning to include substance abuse would cost an estimated $12,174 in fiscal year 2018. TEA estimates there would not be costs related to revising instructional materials as a result of the provisions of the bill, and anticipates new instructional materials would not be adopted to address the revised TEKS until the next scheduled adoption which is anticipated to be in fiscal year 2021. For the second committee, TEA estimates reviewing existing coordinated school health programs to ensure they align with new requirements would cost an estimated $12,720 in fiscal year 2018.
Costs Related to Full-Time Equivalents (FTEs)
This analysis assumes costs related to two FTEs at TEA to implement the provisions of the bill. The estimated cost of the FTEs, including salary, benefits, and other operating expenses, would be $259,603 in fiscal year 2018 and $243,603 in subsequent years.
This analysis assumes that one FTE would work with the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) to amend Educator Preparation Program (EPP) curriculum requirements, amend continuing professional education requirements for classroom teachers and principals, revise the Health standards that serve as the basis for the EPP curriculum and the certification examination, update the certification examinations, and review and recommend the EPPs seeking approval or re-approval to comply with the provisions of the bill. This analysis assumes another FTE would coordinate school health and health education TEKS, update the school health survey, survey local school boards of trustees to determine if they were able to appoint a psychiatrist or non-physician mental health profession, develop guidelines for school districts regarding required partnerships, and publish lists of best practice-based programs as required by the provisions of the bill.
The bill would have multiple impacts on school districts and open-enrollment charter schools resulting in varying costs.
The bill would require district's school health advisory councils to make recommendations regarding certain physical and health issues and integrate physical health and mental health concerns into the curriculum. The bill would require districts to include certain information in their student handbook and on their website, and establish a school-based health center. TEA estimates school district costs in implementing these provisions will vary depending on whether the school district implements the council's recommendations, the districts existing policies and procedures and the availability of psychiatrist and mental health professionals to serve on the council.
The bill allows a school district may hire a nonphysical mental health professional. TEA estimates costs will vary by district depending on if they choose to hire a mental health professional.
The bill would require the State Board of Education (SBOE) to amend the Health TEKS to incorporate various mental health topics. As a result, educator preparation programs (EPPs) that continue offering preparation in the certificates that include the updated certification standards may incur costs to redesign and teach the curriculum. According to TEA, certain approved EPPs are considered units of local government, including school districts, charter schools, and county districts. EPPs could incur costs to redesign and teach a certificate area. Costs would depend on the additional staff needed to develop the curriculum and teach additional courses related to mental health. These costs would vary among EPPs.
TEA estimates other local requirements in the bill would have minimal cost.
| Source Agencies: | 529 Health and Human Services Commission, 530 Family and Protective Services, Department of, 701 Texas Education Agency
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| LBB Staff: | UP, AW, KCA, AM, AG, JLi
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