BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 4442

By: Bhojani

Public Education

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The bill author has informed the committee that with increasing concerns about student mental health, Texas should prioritize equipping students with tools to manage stress, improve emotional regulation, and enhance focus. Research from 2022 suggests that mindfulness practices can positively impact students' well-being, academic performance, and overall emotional resilience. C.S.H.B. 4442 seeks to address this issue by authorizing public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to offer a mindfulness elective course for certain students.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 4442 amends the Education Code to authorize a public school district or open-enrollment charter school to offer an elective course on mindfulness to students in middle school, junior high school, and high school that includes instruction on techniques to do the following:

· enhance focus and concentration;

· manage stress;

· improve emotional regulation; and

· cultivate increased self-awareness and compassion.

The bill requires such a course provided to high school students to meet the state requirements for an elective credit. The bill's provisions apply beginning with the 2026-2027 school year.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2025.

COMPARISON OF INTRODUCED AND SUBSTITUTE

While C.S.H.B. 4442 may differ from the introduced in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following summarizes the substantial differences between the introduced and committee substitute versions of the bill.

Whereas the introduced required a district or charter school to offer an elective course on mindfulness to students, the substitute does not. Instead the substitute authorizes a district or charter school to do so.