By: Thompson of Harris, Phelan, Moody, H.B. No. 906

Bonnen of Galveston, Coleman, et al.

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the establishment of a collaborative task force to study certain public school mental health services.

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

SECTION 1. Chapter 38, Education Code, is amended by adding Subchapter F to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER F. COLLABORATIVE TASK FORCE ON PUBLIC SCHOOL MENTAL

HEALTH SERVICES

Sec. 38.301. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:

(1) "Institution of higher education" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003.

(2) "Task force" means the Collaborative Task Force on Public School Mental Health Services.

Sec. 38.302. ESTABLISHMENT. The Collaborative Task Force on Public School Mental Health Services is established to study and evaluate:

(1) mental health services that are funded by this state and provided at a school district or open-enrollment charter school directly to:

(A) a student enrolled in the district or school;

(B) a parent or family member of or person standing in parental relation to a student enrolled in the district or school; or

(C) an employee of the district or school;

(2) training provided to an educator employed by the district or school to provide the mental health services described by Subdivision (1); and

(3) the impact the mental health services described by Subdivision (1) have on:

(A) the physical and emotional safety and well-being of the individuals who are provided the mental health services described by Subdivision (1);

(B) the number of violent incidents that occur at school districts or open-enrollment charter schools;

(C) the suicide rate of the individuals who are provided the mental health services described by Subdivision (1);

(D) the number of referrals to the Department of Family and Protective Services for investigation services regarding the students described by Subdivision (1)(A); and

(E) the number of individuals who are transported from each school district or open-enrollment charter school for an emergency detention under Chapter 573, Health and Safety Code.

Sec. 38.303. MEMBERSHIP. (a) The task force is composed of:

(1) the commissioner or the commissioner's designee;

(2) the following additional members appointed by the commissioner:

(A) three parents of students who are enrolled in school districts or open-enrollment charter schools and receive the mental health services described by Section 38.302(1);

(B) one person who provides the mental health services described by Section 38.302(1) or the training described by Section 38.302(2) and who is:

(i) a licensed professional counselor, as defined by Section 503.002, Occupations Code;

(ii) a licensed clinical social worker, as defined by Section 505.002, Occupations Code; or

(iii) a school counselor certified under Subchapter B, Chapter 21;

(C) one person who is a psychiatrist;

(D) two persons who are administrators of districts or schools that provide the mental health services described by Section 38.302(1) or the training described by Section 38.302(2);

(E) one person who is a member of a foundation that invests in the mental health services described by Section 38.302(1) or the training described by Section 38.302(2);

(F) one person who is an employee of an institution of higher education designated under Section 38.307; and

(G) one person who is a licensed specialist in school psychology, as defined by Section 501.002, Occupations Code; and

(3) for any other entity the task force considers necessary, one person appointed by the task force for each such entity.

(b) Appointments to the task force shall be made without regard to the race, color, disability, sex, religion, age, or national origin of the appointee.

(c) Chapter 2110, Government Code, does not apply to the task force.

Sec. 38.304. OFFICERS. (a) The commissioner is designated as the interim presiding officer for purposes of calling and conducting the initial meeting of the task force.

(b) The task force:

(1) shall at its initial meeting select a presiding officer from among its members for the purpose of calling and conducting meetings; and

(2) may select an assistant presiding officer and a secretary from among its members.

Sec. 38.305. COMPENSATION; REIMBURSEMENT. A member of the task force may not receive compensation or reimbursement for service on the task force.

Sec. 38.306. MEETINGS. (a) After its initial meeting, the task force shall meet at least twice each year at a time and place determined by the presiding officer.

(b) The task force may meet at other times the task force considers appropriate. The presiding officer may call a meeting on the officer's own motion.

(c) The task force may meet by teleconference.

Sec. 38.307. SUPPORT SERVICES FOR TASK FORCE. (a) The commissioner shall designate one institution of higher education with experience in evaluating mental health services to serve as the lead institution for the task force. The institution designated under this subsection shall provide faculty, staff, and administrative support services to the task force as determined necessary by the task force to administer this subchapter.

(b) The commissioner shall designate two institutions of higher education with experience in evaluating mental health services to assist the task force and the lead institution designated under Subsection (a) as determined necessary by the task force to administer this subchapter.

(c) In making a designation under this section, the commissioner shall give preference to at least one predominantly black institution, as defined by 20 U.S.C. Section 1067q(c)(9).

(d) On request of the task force, the agency, a school district, or an open-enrollment charter school shall provide information or other assistance to the task force.

Sec. 38.308. DUTIES OF TASK FORCE. The task force shall:

(1) gather data on:

(A) the number of students enrolled in each school district and open-enrollment charter school;

(B) the number of individuals to whom each school district or open-enrollment charter school provides the mental health services described by Section 38.302(1);

(C) the number of individuals for whom each school district or open-enrollment charter school has the resources to provide the mental health services described by Section 38.302(1);

(D) the number of individuals described by Paragraph (B) who are referred to an inpatient or outpatient mental health provider;

(E) the number of individuals who are transported from each school district or open-enrollment charter school for an emergency detention under Chapter 573, Health and Safety Code; and

(F) the race, ethnicity, gender, special education status, educationally disadvantaged status, and geographic location of:

(i) individuals who are provided the mental health services described by Section 38.302(1);

(ii) individuals who are described by Paragraph (D); and

(iii) individuals who are described by Paragraph (E); and

(2) study, evaluate, and make recommendations regarding the mental health services described by Section 38.302(1), the training described by Section 38.302(2), and the impact of those mental health services, as described by Section 38.302(3), including addressing:

(A) the outcomes and the effectiveness of the services and training provided, including the outcomes and effectiveness of the service and training providers and the programs under which services and training are provided, in:

(i) improving student academic achievement and attendance;

(ii) reducing student disciplinary proceedings, suspensions, placements in a disciplinary alternative education program, and expulsions;

(iii) providing prevention and intervention services to promote early mental health;

(iv) building skills relating to managing emotions, establishing and maintaining positive relationships, and making responsible decisions;

(v) preventing substance abuse;

(vi) preventing suicides;

(vii) adhering to the purpose of the relevant program services or training;

(viii) promoting trauma-informed practices;

(ix) promoting a positive school climate, as defined by Section 161.325(a-3), Health and Safety Code, in the district or school; and

(x) improving physical and emotional safety and well-being in the district or school and reducing violence in the district or school;

(B) best practices for districts and schools in implementing the services or training;

(C) disparities in the race, ethnicity, gender, special education status, and geographic location of individuals receiving the services; and

(D) best practices to replicate the services or training for all districts and schools.

Sec. 38.3081. PRIVACY OF INFORMATION. The task force shall ensure that data gathered, information studied, and evaluations conducted under this chapter comply with federal law regarding confidentiality of student medical or educational information, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C. Section 1320d et seq.) and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (20 U.S.C. Section 1232g), and any state law relating to the privacy of student information.

Sec. 38.309. REPORTS. Not later than November 1 of each even-numbered year, the task force shall submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the agency a report of the results of the task force's activities conducted under Section 38.308 and any recommendations for legislative or other action.

Sec. 38.310. FUNDING; ADMINISTRATIVE COST RESTRICTION; GIFTS AND GRANTS. (a) Of state funds allocated to the agency for public school mental health services, the commissioner may provide not more than 10 percent for purposes of the task force established under this subchapter.

(b) The task force may not spend for the administration of the task force more than 10 percent of any money allocated to the task force for the purpose of this subchapter.

(c) The task force may accept a gift or grant from a private individual, a foundation, or the federal government.

Sec. 38.311. EXPIRATION. The task force is abolished and this subchapter expires December 1, 2025.

SECTION 2. Not later than October 1, 2019, the commissioner of education shall:

(1) appoint the members of the Collaborative Task Force on Public School Mental Health Services that are to be appointed by the commissioner, as required by Section 38.303, Education Code, as added by this Act; and

(2) designate the institutions of higher education to provide support services, as required by Section 38.307, Education Code, as added by this Act.

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, 2019.