86R7868 GCB-D
 
  By: Lucio S.B. No. 856
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the establishment of the student mental health division
  within the Texas Education Agency.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 7, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 7.041 to read as follows:
         Sec. 7.041.  STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH DIVISION. The
  commissioner by rule shall establish the student mental health
  division within the agency to:
               (1)  develop and administer a plan to identify,
  leverage, and align existing agency resources to promote the
  academic success of students with mental health needs, including
  students in special education programs under Subchapter A, Chapter
  29; and
               (2)  promote strong local and statewide
  school-community partnerships by coordinating with community-based
  mental health services providers, youth services providers, and
  school district resources, including school counselors, and with
  relevant state agencies, including the Health and Human Services
  Commission, the Department of State Health Services, the Department
  of Family and Protective Services, the Texas Workforce Commission,
  and the Texas Juvenile Justice Department.
         SECTION 2.  As soon as practicable after the effective date
  of this Act, the commissioner of education shall adopt rules
  establishing the student mental health division within the Texas
  Education Agency as required by Section 7.041, 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.