Bill Text: TX HB3488 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating to creating a mental health allotment under the Foundation School Program.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-03-16 - Referred to Youth Health & Safety, Select [HB3488 Detail]
Download: Texas-2023-HB3488-Introduced.html
88R5794 MM-D | ||
By: Plesa | H.B. No. 3488 |
|
||
|
||
relating to creating a mental health allotment under the Foundation | ||
School Program. | ||
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | ||
SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 48, Education Code, is | ||
amended by adding Section 48.117 to read as follows: | ||
Sec. 48.117. MENTAL HEALTH ALLOTMENT. (a) For each student | ||
in average daily attendance, a school district is entitled to an | ||
annual allotment equal to the basic allotment multiplied by 0.008. | ||
(b) At least 85 percent of the funds allocated under this | ||
section must be used to establish and maintain appropriate mental | ||
health supports for students in the district, including to pay | ||
costs associated with: | ||
(1) hiring and providing compensation for counselors, | ||
social workers, and staff dedicated to student mental health; | ||
(2) implementing screenings for adverse childhood | ||
experiences and anxiety disorders for students who are eight years | ||
of age, using tools selected by the agency based on guidance from | ||
mental health professionals; | ||
(3) selecting and implementing evidence-based | ||
programs to provide a positive school climate and promote student | ||
skills in dealing with bullying and conflicts, solving problems, | ||
developing healthy peer relationships, and engaging in activities | ||
to prevent suicide and substance use; and | ||
(4) developing: | ||
(A) early intervention services for students in | ||
need of additional support, such as skill groups to deal with grief, | ||
anger, anxiety, or sadness; | ||
(B) treatment programs and services that address | ||
the various mental health needs of students; | ||
(C) student and family support and mental health | ||
resources; | ||
(D) a school culture in which teachers and other | ||
student support staff are trained to recognize the early warning | ||
signs of student mental health issues; and | ||
(E) a mental health referral process to ensure | ||
that all students have equal access to mental health services and | ||
supports. | ||
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |