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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to mental health training for public school educators. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 21.462, Education Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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Sec. 21.462. RESOURCES REGARDING STUDENTS WITH MENTAL |
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HEALTH NEEDS. (a) The commissioner shall develop training |
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materials and other educator training resources for a school |
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district to use in assisting educators in developing: |
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(1) expertise in working with students with mental |
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health needs; and |
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(2) comprehension of the instructional approaches |
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that, through scientific testing, have been proven effective in |
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addressing mental health needs. |
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(b) To the extent practicable, the training materials and |
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other educator training resources developed under Subsection (a) |
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[The agency, in coordination with the Health and Human Services
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Commission, shall establish and maintain an Internet website to
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provide resources for school district or open-enrollment charter
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school employees regarding working with students with mental health
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conditions. The agency] must include [on the Internet website] |
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information about: |
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(1) grief-informed and trauma-informed practices; |
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(2) building skills related to managing emotions, |
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establishing and maintaining positive relationships, and |
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responsible decision-making; |
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(3) positive behavior interventions and supports; and |
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(4) a safe and supportive school climate. |
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(c) The commissioner shall consult with classroom teachers |
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and mental health professionals in developing the training |
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materials and other educator training resources under Subsection |
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(a). |
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(d) The commissioner shall make the training materials and |
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other educator training resources developed under Subsection (a) |
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available to educators through distance learning, mentoring |
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programs, small group inquiries, computer-assisted training, |
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trainer-of-trainer models, and other mechanisms. |
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(e) The commissioner shall use funds appropriated for the |
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purpose to administer this section. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019. |