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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to continuing education requirements for public school |
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counselors regarding lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, |
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or questioning youth issues. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 21, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 21.0542 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 21.0542. CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR SCHOOL COUNSELORS |
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REGARDING LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER, QUEER, OR |
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QUESTIONING YOUTH ISSUES. (a) The board shall propose rules |
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requiring a counselor to complete a three-hour continuing education |
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course to help school counselors address issues concerning students |
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who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning. |
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(b) The rules proposed by the board under this section may |
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allow a school counselor to receive credit toward the total number |
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of hours required for the counselor's overall continuing education |
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requirements for completion of a course under this section. |
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(c) The board shall identify or create a continuing |
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education course or program that meets the requirements of |
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Subsection (a) and includes training regarding: |
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(1) pronoun terminology and usage; |
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(2) the handling of hate crimes and bullying against |
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students who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or |
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questioning; |
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(3) mental health and suicide education related to the |
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specific struggles encountered by students who are lesbian, gay, |
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bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning; |
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(4) advice to provide a student for communicating the |
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student's sexual orientation or gender identity to the student's |
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parent; |
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(5) the creation of a welcoming environment that is |
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culturally sensitive for students who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, |
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transgender, queer, or questioning; and |
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(6) past and present systems of oppression for persons |
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who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning. |
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(d) The board may consult with the following persons or |
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entities as necessary to implement this section: |
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(1) a psychologist specializing in child psychology; |
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(2) a psychologist specializing in care for persons |
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who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning; |
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or |
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(3) an appropriate nonprofit organization. |
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SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date |
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of this Act, the State Board for Educator Certification shall |
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propose rules implementing Section 21.0542, Education Code, as |
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added by this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |