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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the regional inventory of mental health resources for |
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public schools and the statewide plan for student mental health. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Sections 38.252(a) and (b), Education Code, are |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(a) Each regional education service center shall use the |
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rubric developed under Section 38.251 to identify resources related |
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to student mental health available to schools in the center's |
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region, including trainings and evidence-based and promising |
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programs and best practices, that: |
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(1) create school environments that support the |
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social, emotional, and academic development of students, including |
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through the use of trauma-informed practices; |
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(2) identify students who may need additional |
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behavioral or mental health support before issues arise; |
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(3) provide early, effective interventions to |
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students in need of additional support; |
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(4) connect students and their families to specialized |
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services in the school or community when needed; and |
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(5) assist schools in aligning resources necessary to |
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address the mental health of students. |
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(b) In identifying resources under Subsection (a), a [A] |
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regional education service center shall consult with a |
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non-physician mental health professional described by Section |
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8.153 and may consult with any entity the center considers |
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necessary [in identifying resources under Subsection (a)], |
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including: |
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(1) school districts; |
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(2) local mental health authorities; |
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(3) community mental health services providers; |
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(4) education groups; |
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(5) hospitals; and |
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(6) institutions of higher education. |
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SECTION 2. Section 38.254, Education Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsection (b-1) and amending Subsection (d) to read as |
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follows: |
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(b-1) In developing the agency's goals under Subsection |
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(a)(4) or the agency's recommendations under Subsection (a)(6) for |
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a year before 2026, the agency shall consult with the Collaborative |
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Task Force on Public School Mental Health Services established |
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under Section 38.302 in addition to the persons the agency is |
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required to consult with under Subsection (b). This subsection |
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expires December 1, 2025. |
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(d) As soon as practicable after completing or revising the |
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plan, the agency shall: |
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(1) submit an electronic copy of the plan to: |
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(A) the legislature; and |
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(B) the statewide behavioral health coordinating |
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council established under Subchapter M-1, Chapter 531, Government |
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Code; |
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(2) post the plan on the agency's Internet website; and |
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(3) hold public meetings in each regional education |
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service center's region to present the statewide plan and shall |
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provide an opportunity for public comment at each meeting. |
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SECTION 3. This Act applies beginning with the 2021-2022 |
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school year. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |