Honorable Dan Huberty, Chair, House Committee on Public Education
FROM:
John McGeady, Assistant Director Sarah Keyton, Assistant Director Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB2994 by Talarico (Relating to mental health training for public school educators.), As Introduced
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB2994, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($2,281,708) through the biennium ending August 31, 2021.
The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.
Fiscal Year
Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2020
($1,685,279)
2021
($596,429)
2022
($596,429)
2023
($596,429)
2024
($596,429)
Fiscal Year
Probable Savings/(Cost) from General Revenue Fund 1
Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2019
2020
($1,685,279)
2.0
2021
($596,429)
2.0
2022
($596,429)
2.0
2023
($596,429)
2.0
2024
($596,429)
2.0
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would require the Commissioner of Education to develop training materials to assist educators in working with students with mental health needs, including training on instructional approaches for working with such students. The commissioner would be required to consult with classroom teachers and mental health professionals when developing these materials. The commissioner would be required to make training materials available through various mechanisms, including distance education, mentoring, small group inquiries, computer-assisted training, and train-the-trainer models.
The bill would take effect September 1, 2019.
Methodology
According to the Texas Education Agency, the agency would require additional staff to develop the training materials required under the bill. Two Program Specialist VI FTEs would be required to develop training materials and implement the various modes of training that would be required. Costs associated with these FTEs would total $204,429 in fiscal year 2020 and $196,429 in subsequent years.
The agency would also incur costs to convene teachers and mental health professionals for the development of training materials. Total costs to convene 40 stakeholders in Austin for two days of meetings on three occasions would be $80,850 in fiscal year 2020.
TEA estimates that professional services totaling $1.4 million in fiscal year 2020 would be required to facilitate the training delivery methods stipulated in the bill. In order to develop nine hours of training materials and educator resources, $900,000 for professional services would be required in fiscal year 2020. In order to make training content available through distance learning and computer-assisted modes of delivery, $500,000 for professional services would be required in fiscal year 2020.
TEA reports that in subsequent years, $400,000 annually would be required to make the content available through the agency's learning management system and make the material available for continuing education credit.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.