By: King of Hemphill, Burrows, H.B. No. 13
      King of Uvalde, González of El Paso,
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to training, preparedness, and funding for school safety
  and emergencies in public schools.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter Z, Chapter 22, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 22.904 to read as follows:
         Sec. 22.904.  MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TRAINING. (a)  Except
  as otherwise provided by this section, a school district shall
  require each district employee who regularly interacts with
  students enrolled at the district to complete an evidence-based
  mental health first aid training program designed to provide
  instruction to participants regarding the recognition and support
  of children and youth who experience a mental health or substance
  use issue that may pose a threat to school safety.
         (b)  A school district may not require a district employee
  who has previously completed mental health first aid training
  offered by a local mental health authority under Section 1001.203,
  Health and Safety Code, to complete the training required by this
  section.
         (c)  The agency shall provide an allotment to each school
  district equal to the sum of the amount district employees spent on
  travel and training fees and the product of each employee's hourly
  salary multiplied by the number of hours that employee spent
  completing the training in accordance with commissioner rule to
  comply with this section. An allotment provided to a district under
  this section must be used to reimburse the employee for the cost of
  travel and training fees and to compensate the employee for the time
  spent completing the training required by this section.
         (d)  The State Board for Educator Certification shall
  propose rules allowing an educator to receive credit toward the
  educator's continuing education requirements under Section
  21.054(g) for the educator's participation in mental health first
  aid training under this section.
         (e)  The commissioner shall adopt rules to implement this
  section, including rules specifying the training fees and travel
  expenses subject to reimbursement under Subsection (c).
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter Z, Chapter 29, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 29.9074 to read as follows:
         Sec. 29.9074.  FENTANYL POISONING AWARENESS WEEK. (a)  To
  educate students about the dangers posed by the drug fentanyl and
  the risks of fentanyl poisoning, including overdose, the governor
  shall designate a week to be known as Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness
  Week in public schools.
         (b)  Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Week may include
  age-appropriate instruction, including instruction on the
  prevention of the abuse of and addiction to fentanyl, as determined
  by each school district.
         SECTION 3.  Section 37.0812(a), Education Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (a)  A school district peace officer or school resource
  officer shall complete an active shooter response training program
  approved by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement at least once in
  each four-year period.
         SECTION 4.  Subchapter C, Chapter 37, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 37.08121 to read as follows:
         Sec. 37.08121.  SCHOOL SENTINEL PROGRAM, TRAINING, AND
  STIPEND.  (a)  In this section, "school sentinel" means a school
  district or open-enrollment charter school employee who, pursuant
  to the written regulations or written authorization of the district
  or school under Section 46.03(a)(1)(A), Penal Code, is authorized
  to carry or possess a specified weapon for the purpose of providing
  safety and security on the physical premises of the employee's
  school, any grounds or building on which an activity sponsored by
  the school is being conducted, or a passenger transportation
  vehicle of the school.
         (b)  A school district or open-enrollment charter school may
  establish a school sentinel program in accordance with this section
  for the purposes of school safety and security on school premises.  
  The written regulation or authorization of a school district or
  open-enrollment charter school that authorizes the presence of a
  school sentinel must require the sentinel to complete a school
  sentinel training program approved by the agency under this section
  before being permitted to carry or possess a weapon on the physical
  premises of the school for the purposes of providing safety and
  security.
         (c)  A school district or open-enrollment charter school
  that authorizes the presence of a school guardian under this
  section shall: 
               (1)  designate a marking or uniform that identifies to
  a law enforcement agency that the person is a school guardian;
               (2)  require each school guardian to wear a marking or
  uniform described by Subdivision (1) while providing school
  guardian services at the district or school in the manner provided
  under Subsection (a); and
               (3)  maintain information regarding the marking or
  uniform designated under Subdivision (1) as confidential except
  that the district or school shall disclose the information to an
  appropriate law enforcement agency in accordance with Section
  37.108(g).
         (d)  The agency may only approve a school sentinel training
  program if the program:
               (1)  requires completion of all training required for a
  school marshal, including the training program provided under
  Section 1701.260, Occupations Code; and
               (2)  includes instruction in mental health first aid
  and trauma-informed care.
         (e)  From funds appropriated or otherwise available for the
  purpose, a school district or open-enrollment charter school
  employee is entitled to a stipend in an amount determined by the
  commissioner of not more than $25,000 per school year that the
  employee serves as a school sentinel after completing the training
  program required by this section.  A stipend received under this
  subsection is not considered a part of the employee's compensation,
  including for purposes of determining whether a school district is
  paying an employee the minimum monthly salary under Section 21.402.
         (f)  The commissioner shall adopt rules necessary to
  implement this section.
         SECTION 5.  Subchapter C, Chapter 37, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 37.089 to read as follows:
         Sec. 37.089.  ROLE OF PERSONS CARRYING A FIREARM ON SCHOOL
  GROUNDS. (a) Subject to Subsection (b), a person permitted to carry
  a firearm on the campus of a school district may not perform the
  routine law enforcement duties of a peace officer, including making
  arrests, unless the duty is performed in response to an emergency
  that poses a threat of death or serious bodily injury to a student,
  school district employee, or other individual at the district
  campus.
         (b)  Subsection (a) does not apply to a commissioned peace
  officer who is assigned law enforcement duties that are included in
  campus and district documents describing the role of peace officers
  in the district as required by Section 37.081(d).
         SECTION 6.  Section 37.115(c), Education Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (c)  The board of trustees of each school district shall
  establish a threat assessment and safe and supportive school team
  to serve at each campus of the district and shall adopt policies and
  procedures for the teams.  The team is responsible for developing
  and implementing the safe and supportive school program under
  Subsection (b) at the district campus served by the team.  The
  policies and procedures adopted under this section must:
               (1)  be consistent with the model policies and
  procedures developed by the Texas School Safety Center;
               (2)  require each team to complete training provided by
  the Texas School Safety Center or a regional education service
  center regarding evidence-based threat assessment programs; [and]
               (3)  require each team established under this section
  to report the information required under Subsection (k) regarding
  the team's activities to the agency; and
               (4)  require each district campus to establish a clear
  procedure for a student to report concerning behavior exhibited by
  another student for assessment by the team or other appropriate
  school employee.
         SECTION 7.  Section 37.108(g), Education Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (g)  A school district shall include in its multihazard
  emergency operations plan an active shooter preparedness appendix.  
  The active shooter preparedness appendix must include a
  certification by the district that the district has provided to
  each law enforcement agency with jurisdiction in the district or
  geographic area served by the district:
               (1)  information regarding the identity of the school
  guardian authorized under Section 37.08121 at each district campus
  and the marking or uniform worn by the school guardian or other
  manner in which a law enforcement agency may confidentially
  identify the school guardian;
               (2)  an accurate map of each district campus that is
  oriented to true north; and
               (3)  an opportunity to conduct a walk-through of each
  district facility.  [a policy for responding to an active shooter
  emergency.  The school district may use any available community
  resources in developing the policy described by this subsection.]
         SECTION 8.  Subchapter D, Chapter 37, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 37.116 to read as follows:
         Sec. 37.116.  SCHOOL SAFETY INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT PROGRAM.  
  (a)  With funds appropriated or otherwise available for the
  purpose, the agency shall establish a grant program to assist
  school districts and open-enrollment charter schools with any cost
  identified by a district or school as necessary for enhancing the
  infrastructure of each district or school campus to meet agency
  safety standards.
         (b)  The commissioner shall adopt rules to implement this
  section.
         SECTION 9.  Section 38.022, Education Code, is amended by
  amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1) to read as
  follows:
         (a)  A school district may require a person who enters
  property under the district's control [a district campus] to
  display the person's driver's license, [or] another form of
  identification containing the person's photograph issued by a
  governmental entity, or, if applicable, the person's district
  employee or student identification card.  The person must provide
  the identification on request.
         (a-1)  A school district may eject a person from district
  property if:
               (1)  the person refuses or fails to provide on request
  identification described by Subsection (a); and
               (2)  it reasonably appears that the person has no
  legitimate reason to be on district property.
         SECTION 10.  Subchapter A, Chapter 38, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 38.040 to read as follows:
         Sec. 38.040.  FENTANYL ABUSE PREVENTION AND DRUG POISONING
  AWARENESS EDUCATION. (a) Each school district shall annually
  provide research-based instruction related to fentanyl abuse
  prevention and drug poisoning awareness to students in grades 6
  through 12.
         (b)  The instruction required by this section must include:
               (1)  suicide prevention;
               (2)  prevention of the abuse of and addiction to
  fentanyl;
               (3)  awareness of local school and community resources
  and any processes involved in accessing those resources; and
               (4)  health education that includes information about
  substance use and abuse, including youth substance use and abuse.
         (c)  The instruction required by this section may be provided
  by an entity or an employee or agent of an entity that is: 
               (1)  a public or private institution of higher
  education;
               (2)  a library;
               (3)  a community service organization;
               (4)  a religious organization;
               (5)  a local public health agency; or
               (6)  an organization employing mental health
  professionals.
         SECTION 11.  Subchapter A, Chapter 38, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Sections 38.046 and 38.047 to read as follows:
         Sec. 38.046.  FENTANYL CONTAMINATION TRAINING PROGRAM FOR
  SCHOOL PERSONNEL. (a) The agency, in cooperation with The
  University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, shall
  develop:
               (1)  an evidence-based curriculum for students in
  grades 6 through 12 on the dangers of fentanyl contamination for use
  by school district and open-enrollment charter school employees;
  and
               (2)  a professional development training program on
  providing the training developed under Subdivision (1). 
         (b)  The agency shall distribute curriculum and training
  materials for the training program developed under this section to
  each regional education service center. 
         Sec. 38.047.  FENTANYL CONTAMINATION GRANT PROGRAM. (a) The
  agency shall establish a grant program to provide funding to school
  districts and open-enrollment charter schools for community and
  school outreach programs on the dangers of fentanyl contamination.
         (b)  The commissioner may adopt rules as necessary to
  administer the grant program established under this section.
         SECTION 12.  Section 38.351, Education Code, is amended by
  adding Subsection (g-1) to read as follows:
         (g-1)  A school district may satisfy a requirement to
  implement a program in the area of substance abuse prevention and
  intervention by providing instruction related to youth substance
  use and abuse education under Section 38.040.
         SECTION 13.  Section 48.115, Education Code, is amended by
  amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsections (c-1) and
  (c-2) to read as follows:
         (a)  A [From funds appropriated for that purpose, the
  commissioner shall provide to a] school district is entitled to an
  annual allotment of $100 [in the amount provided by appropriation]
  for each student in average daily attendance.
         (b)  Funds allocated under this section must be used to
  improve school safety and security [, including costs associated
  with:
               [(1)  securing school facilities, including:
                     [(A)  improvements to school infrastructure;
                     [(B)  the use or installation of physical
  barriers; and
                     [(C)  the purchase and maintenance of:
                           [(i)  security cameras or other security
  equipment; and
                           [(ii)  technology, including communications
  systems or devices, that facilitates communication and information
  sharing between students, school personnel, and first responders in
  an emergency;
               [(2)  providing security for the district, including:
                     [(A)  employing school district peace officers,
  private security officers, and school marshals; and
                     [(B)  collaborating with local law enforcement
  agencies, such as entering into a memorandum of understanding for
  the assignment of school resource officers to schools in the
  district;
               [(3)  school safety and security training and planning,
  including:
                     [(A)  active shooter and emergency response
  training;
                     [(B)  prevention and treatment programs relating
  to addressing adverse childhood experiences; and
                     [(C)  the prevention, identification, and
  management of emergencies and threats, using evidence-based,
  effective prevention practices and including:
                           [(i)  providing licensed counselors, social
  workers, and individuals trained in restorative discipline and
  restorative justice practices;
                           [(ii)  providing mental health personnel and
  support;
                           [(iii)  providing behavioral health
  services;
                           [(iv)  establishing threat reporting
  systems; and
                           [(v)  developing and implementing programs
  focused on restorative justice practices, culturally relevant
  instruction, and providing mental health support; and
               [(4)  providing programs related to suicide
  prevention, intervention, and postvention].
         (c-1)  The agency, or if designated by the agency, the Texas
  School Safety Center, shall establish and publish a directory of
  approved vendors of school safety technology and equipment,
  including video surveillance equipment for use as provided by
  Section 29.022, a school district may select from when using funds
  allocated under this section.  If a school district uses funds
  allocated under this section to purchase technology or equipment
  from a vendor that is not included in the directory, the district
  must solicit bids from at least three vendors before completing the
  purchase.
         (c-2)  Subsection (c-1) does not apply to the provision of
  behavioral health services or programming.
         SECTION 14.  Subtitle I, Title 2, Education Code, is amended
  by adding Chapter 47A to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 47A.  STATE SCHOOL SAFETY FUND AND GRANTS
         Sec. 47A.001.  DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
               (1)  "Corporation" means the Texas Permanent School
  Fund Corporation established under Chapter 43.
               (2)  "Fund" means the state school safety fund
  established under Section 7, Article VII, Texas Constitution.
               (3)  "Program" means the school safety grant program.
         Sec. 47A.002.  DEPOSITS TO FUND BY COMMISSIONER.
  Notwithstanding any other law, including Section 48.265, if the
  commissioner determines that the amount appropriated for a state
  fiscal year for purposes of administering the Foundation School
  Program exceeds the amount to which school districts and
  open-enrollment charter schools are entitled under Chapters 46, 48,
  and 49 for that year, the commissioner shall deposit a portion of
  that excess, up to 100 percent, to the credit of the fund.
         Sec. 47A.003.  USES OF FUND.  Money in the fund may only be
  used to provide grants to school districts and open-enrollment
  charter schools to enhance school safety under Section 47A.005.
         Sec. 47A.004.  ADMINISTRATION OF FUND. (a)  The corporation
  shall hold and invest the fund with the objective of maintaining
  sufficient liquidity to meet the needs of the fund while striving to
  maximize returns.  In managing the assets of the fund, through
  procedures and subject to restrictions the corporation considers
  appropriate, the corporation may acquire, exchange, sell,
  supervise, manage, or retain any type of investment that a person of
  ordinary prudence, discretion, and intelligence, exercising
  reasonable care, skill, and caution, would acquire, exchange, sell,
  supervise, manage, or retain in light of the fund's investment
  objective.
         (b)  The corporation may charge a fee not to exceed the
  amount necessary to cover the costs estimated to be incurred by the
  corporation in managing and investing the fund.  The fee may be
  assessed on the available balance of the fund each fiscal year.
         Sec. 47A.005.  SCHOOL SAFETY GRANTS. (a)  The commissioner
  shall establish a school safety grant program using proceeds of the
  fund to provide grants to school districts and open-enrollment
  charter schools.
         (b)  The commissioner may only award a grant to a school
  district or open-enrollment charter school to reimburse the
  district or school for expenditures required for the implementation
  of a school safety plan that has been approved by the agency.
         (c)  The commissioner may award grants each school year in an
  amount not to exceed $10 million to a school district or
  open-enrollment charter school.
         (d)  The commissioner may award grants each school year not
  to exceed a total amount of $500 million.
         (e)  If the amount of grant requests under the program
  exceeds $500 million in a school year, the commissioner shall
  proportionately reduce the amount of each grant in that school year
  in an amount necessary to limit the total amount of grants provided
  to $500 million.
         (f)  Notwithstanding Subsection (c) and subject to the
  limitation under Subsection (d), if excess funds are available for
  a school year, the commissioner may provide additional grants to
  school districts and open-enrollment charter schools that incurred
  eligible expenses of more than $10 million in that school year.
         Sec. 47A.006.  RULES. The commissioner, in consultation
  with the corporation, may adopt rules as necessary to implement
  this chapter.
         SECTION 15.  (a)  Except as provided by Subsections (b) and
  (c) of this section, this Act applies beginning with the 2023-2024
  school year.
         (b)  Notwithstanding Section 22.904, Education Code, as
  added by this Act, a school district must require the district's
  employees to complete the mental health first aid training required
  under that section as follows:
               (1)  at least 25 percent of the applicable district
  employees before the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year;
               (2)  at least 50 percent of the applicable district
  employees before the beginning of the 2026-2027 school year;
               (3)  at least 75 percent of the applicable district
  employees before the beginning of the 2027-2028 school year; and
               (4)  100 percent of the applicable district employees
  before the beginning of the 2028-2029 school year.
         (c)  Chapter 47A, Education Code, as added by this Act,
  applies beginning with the 2024-2025 school year.
         SECTION 16.  (a) Except as provided by Subsections (b) and
  (c) of this section, 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, 2023.
         (b)  Section 48.115, Education Code, as amended by this Act,
  takes effect September 1, 2023.
         (c)  Section 14 of this Act takes effect January 1, 2024, but
  only if the constitutional amendment proposed by the 88th
  Legislature, Regular Session, 2023, creating the state school
  safety fund to provide financial support for projects that enhance
  the safety of public schools in this state is approved by the
  voters.  If that constitutional amendment is not approved by the
  voters, Section 14 of this Act has no effect.