| |
| |
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
|
relating to a study on the use of art therapy in public schools and |
|
|
on art therapy in higher education. |
|
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
|
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. In this Act: |
|
|
(1) "Art therapy" means a form of therapy based on |
|
|
engagement in artistic activities, including visual and performing |
|
|
arts, as a means of creative expression and symbolic communication |
|
|
and used as a remedial or diagnostic activity. |
|
|
(2) "Mental health professional" has the meaning |
|
|
assigned by Section 61.601, Education Code. |
|
|
SECTION 2. STUDY ON ART THERAPY IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS. (a) The |
|
|
commissioner of education shall establish a task force to study the |
|
|
utility, efficacy, and feasibility of providing art therapy to |
|
|
improve the mental health of public school students in this state. |
|
|
(b) The commissioner of education shall appoint members of |
|
|
the task force. The task force must include at least: |
|
|
(1) one mental health professional; |
|
|
(2) one public school administrator or educator; and |
|
|
(3) one parent of or person standing in parental |
|
|
relation to a public school student in this state. |
|
|
(c) The task force shall prepare a written report that |
|
|
includes: |
|
|
(1) a description of the activities of the task force; |
|
|
(2) an analysis of the impact of art therapy on the |
|
|
mental health of school-aged children; including students with |
|
|
disabilities. |
|
|
(3) recommendations for legislative or other action; |
|
|
and |
|
|
(4) any other matters the task force considers |
|
|
appropriate. |
|
|
(d) Not later than December 1, 2020, the task force shall |
|
|
submit the written report to the governor, lieutenant governor, |
|
|
legislature, and commissioner of education. |
|
|
SECTION 3. STUDY ON ART THERAPY IN HIGHER EDUCATION. (a) |
|
|
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall conduct a study |
|
|
on the feasibility of institutions of higher education in this |
|
|
state offering accredited higher education art therapy programs. |
|
|
|
|
|
The coordinating board shall prepare a written report that: |
|
|
(1) indicates whether any interest in higher education |
|
|
art therapy programs exists; |
|
|
(2) identifies the challenges an institution of higher |
|
|
education may face in achieving accreditation for those programs; |
|
|
(3) includes recommendations for legislative or other |
|
|
action; and |
|
|
(4) includes any other matter the coordinating board |
|
|
considers appropriate. |
|
|
(b) Not later than December 1, 2020, the coordinating board |
|
|
shall submit the written report to the governor, lieutenant |
|
|
governor, and legislature. |
|
|
SECTION 4. EXPIRATION. This Act expires September 1, 2021. |
|
|
SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September |
|
|
1, 2019. |