By: Jetton H.B. No. 3142
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the establishment of a counseling certification
  incentive program for school nurses by the Texas Education Agency.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 33, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 33.010 to read as follows:
         Sec. 33.010.  COUNSELING CERTIFICATION INCENTIVE PROGRAM.
  (a) From funds appropriated or otherwise available for the
  purpose, the agency shall establish and administer a program to
  provide salary bonuses to eligible school nurses employed by school
  districts who complete counseling certifications related to
  addressing student mental health needs.
         (b)  The commissioner by rule shall establish eligibility
  criteria to receive a salary bonus under this section.
         (c)  The agency may solicit and accept gifts, grants, and
  donations from any public or private source for the purpose of this
  section.
         (d)  The commissioner shall adopt rules to establish and
  administer the incentive program under this section.
         SECTION 2.  As soon as practicable after the effective date
  of this Act, the Texas Education Agency shall establish the
  counseling certification incentive program under Section 33.010,
  Education Code, as added by this Act.
         SECTION 3.  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.