Amend CSHB 18 (senate committee report) by adding the following appropriately numbered ARTICLE to the bill and renumbering subsequent ARTICLES of the bill and references to those ARTICLES accordingly:
ARTICLE ___. BULLYING PREVENTION PROGRAM
SECTION ___.01. Subchapter C, Chapter 37, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 37.0835 to read as follows:
Sec. 37.0835. BULLYING PREVENTION PILOT PROGRAM. (a) In this section:
(1) "Bullying" has the meaning assigned by Section 37.0832.
(2) "Pilot program" means the bullying prevention pilot program established under this section.
(b) The agency shall:
(1) develop a bullying prevention pilot program to reduce incidents of bullying on public school campuses; and
(2) award grants to eligible school districts to implement the pilot program on district campuses.
(c) In developing the pilot program under Subsection (b), the agency shall:
(1) use research-based best practices for the prevention of bullying; and
(2) collaborate with qualified experts and researchers with experience in child and youth psychology, mental health, and education.
(d) From funds appropriated for the purpose, the commissioner shall award grants to school districts that demonstrate a substantial need for bullying prevention, as determined by the commissioner. A school district that is awarded a grant under this subsection shall implement the pilot program at not more than three campuses in the district.
(e) The agency shall use funds appropriated for purposes of the pilot program under this section to provide technical assistance to grant recipients. The agency may provide technical assistance through regional education service centers.
(f) The commissioner shall:
(1) establish application criteria for a school district to apply to receive a grant under this section; and
(2) determine allowable uses of grant funds by a school district under this section.
(g) The commissioner may use funds otherwise available and may solicit or accept grants or donations to implement this section.
(h) The commissioner shall adopt rules as necessary to implement this section.
(i) The commissioner is not required to develop the pilot program or award grants under this section unless money is specifically appropriated for that purpose.