By: Bucy H.B. No. 54
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the establishment of the School Psychologists Shortage
  Task Force.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  DEFINITIONS. In this Act:
               (1)  "Commissioner" means the commissioner of
  education.
               (2)  "Task force" means the School Psychologists
  Shortage Task Force established under Section 2 of this Act.
         SECTION 2.  SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS SHORTAGE TASK FORCE. (a)
  The commissioner shall establish the School Psychologists Shortage
  Task Force to study issues related to the shortage of school
  psychologists.
         (b)  The members of the task force must include:
               (1)  three members appointed by the lieutenant governor
  as follows:
                     (A)  two members of the senate; and
                     (B)  one licensed specialist in school
  psychology;
               (2)  three members appointed by the speaker of the
  house of representatives as follows:
                     (A)  two members of the house of representatives;
  and
                     (B)  one licensed specialist in school
  psychology; and
               (3)  one member of the State Board of Education
  appointed by the commissioner.
         (c)  The Texas Education Agency shall provide administrative
  support to the task force.
         (d)  The commissioner shall appoint a member of the task
  force to serve as the presiding officer.
         (e)  The task force shall meet at the call of the presiding
  officer.
         (f)  The task force shall:
               (1)  conduct a study on the issues related to the
  shortage of school psychologists among school districts, including
  supply and demand issues for school-based psychological services
  among districts; and
               (2)  provide recommendations for increasing the
  presence of school psychologists in school districts and increasing
  the use of school-based psychological services, as needed.
         SECTION 3.  REPORT. Not later than December 31, 2024, the
  task force shall submit a report to the governor and the legislature
  that includes the task force's findings and recommendations under
  this Act.
         SECTION 4.  ABOLITION OF TASK FORCE; EXPIRATION. The task
  force is abolished and this Act expires January 1, 2026.
         SECTION 5.  EFFECTIVE DATE. 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 on the 91st day after the
  last day of the legislative session.