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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the permissible uses of the school safety allotment and |
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the creation of a mental health allotment under the Foundation |
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School Program. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 48.115(b), Education Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(b) Funds allocated under this section must be used to |
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improve school safety and security, including costs associated |
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with: |
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(1) securing school facilities, including: |
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(A) improvements to school infrastructure; |
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(B) the use or installation of physical barriers; |
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and |
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(C) the purchase and maintenance of: |
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(i) security cameras or other security |
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equipment; and |
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(ii) technology, including communications |
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systems or devices, that facilitates communication and information |
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sharing between students, school personnel, and first responders in |
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an emergency; |
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(2) providing security for the district, including: |
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(A) employing school district peace officers, |
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private security officers, and school marshals; and |
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(B) collaborating with local law enforcement |
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agencies, such as entering into a memorandum of understanding for |
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the assignment of school resource officers to schools in the |
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district; and |
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(3) school safety and security training and planning, |
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including: |
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(A) active shooter and emergency response |
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training; |
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(B) prevention and treatment programs relating |
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to addressing adverse childhood experiences; and |
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(C) the prevention, identification, and |
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management of emergencies and threats, using evidence-based, |
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effective prevention practices and including the establishment of |
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[: |
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[(i) providing licensed counselors, social |
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workers, and individuals trained in restorative discipline and |
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restorative justice practices; |
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[(ii) providing mental health personnel and |
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support; |
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[(iii) providing behavioral health |
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services; |
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[(iv) establishing] threat reporting |
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systems[; and |
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[(v) developing and implementing programs |
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focused on restorative justice practices, culturally relevant |
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instruction, and providing mental health support; and |
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[(4) providing programs related to suicide |
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prevention, intervention, and postvention]. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter C, Chapter 48, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 48.117 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 48.117. MENTAL HEALTH ALLOTMENT. (a) A school |
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district is entitled to an annual allotment of $100,000 or a greater |
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amount provided by appropriation to support mental health services |
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at the district. |
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(b) In addition to the allotment under Subsection (a), a |
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school district that receives an allotment under Section 48.101 or |
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at which more than 50 percent of enrolled students are |
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educationally disadvantaged is entitled to an allotment for each |
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student enrolled in the district in an amount provided by |
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appropriation. |
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(c) Funds allocated under this section: |
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(1) must be used to develop or enhance a comprehensive |
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school mental health system that, through the implementation of |
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programs, practices, and procedures in accordance with Section |
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38.351, provides a tiered array of supports and services in the |
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educational setting that contribute to: |
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(A) a positive school climate; |
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(B) the development of skills related to managing |
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emotions, establishing and maintaining positive relationships, and |
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responsible decision-making; |
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(C) the learning and well-being of students with |
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or at risk of mental health or substance use conditions; |
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(D) family and community engagement; |
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(E) reduced exclusionary discipline practices; |
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and |
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(F) staff wellness; and |
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(2) may be used to pay for costs associated with: |
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(A) the salary of school personnel responsible |
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for planning, coordinating, delivering, or monitoring supports and |
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services described by Subdivision (1); |
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(B) training school personnel regarding |
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effective practices and district and campus procedures to support |
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student mental health; |
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(C) a contract-based collaborative effort or |
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partnership with one or more local community programs, agencies, or |
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providers; and |
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(D) developing and implementing programs focused |
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on restorative justice practices. |
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(d) Funds allocated for purposes of this section may not be |
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used to supplant any other funds that may be provided for the same |
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purpose. |
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(e) Not later than June 1 of each year and in accordance with |
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commissioner rule, each school district shall submit to the |
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commissioner information regarding the outcomes and expenditures |
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related to funds allocated to the district under this section. |
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(f) Not later than September 1 of each year, the |
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commissioner shall publish a report regarding the use of funds |
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allocated under this section during the preceding school year, |
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including information regarding the programs, personnel, and |
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resources implemented, employed, or purchased by school districts |
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using the funds and other purposes for which the funds were used. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |