Bill Text: TX HB4480 | 2019-2020 | 86th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating to a study on the use of art therapy in public schools and on art therapy in higher education.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-04-26 - Committee report sent to Calendars [HB4480 Detail]
Download: Texas-2019-HB4480-Introduced.html
| By: Meza | H.B. No. 4480 | |
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| relating to a study on the use of art therapy in public schools and | ||
| on art therapy in higher education. | ||
| BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | ||
| SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. In this Act: | ||
| (1) "Art therapy" means a form of therapy based on | ||
| engagement in artistic activities, including visual and performing | ||
| arts, as a means of creative expression and symbolic communication | ||
| and used as a remedial or diagnostic activity. | ||
| (2) "Mental health professional" has the meaning | ||
| assigned by Section 61.601, Education Code. | ||
| SECTION 2. STUDY ON ART THERAPY IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS. (a) The | ||
| commissioner of education shall establish a task force to study the | ||
| utility, efficacy, and feasibility of providing art therapy to | ||
| improve the mental health of public school students in this state. | ||
| (b) The commissioner of education shall appoint members of | ||
| the task force. The task force must include at least: | ||
| (1) one mental health professional; | ||
| (2) one public school administrator or educator; and | ||
| (3) one parent of or person standing in parental | ||
| relation to a public school student in this state. | ||
| (c) The task force shall prepare a written report that | ||
| includes: | ||
| (1) a description of the activities of the task force; | ||
| (2) an analysis of the impact of art therapy on the | ||
| mental health of school-aged children; including students with | ||
| disabilities. | ||
| (3) recommendations for legislative or other action; | ||
| and | ||
| (4) any other matters the task force considers | ||
| appropriate. | ||
| (d) Not later than December 1, 2020, the task force shall | ||
| submit the written report to the governor, lieutenant governor, | ||
| legislature, and commissioner of education. | ||
| SECTION 3. STUDY ON ART THERAPY IN HIGHER EDUCATION. (a) | ||
| The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall conduct a study | ||
| on the feasibility of institutions of higher education in this | ||
| state offering accredited higher education art therapy programs. | ||
| The coordinating board shall prepare a written report that: | ||
| (1) indicates whether any interest in higher education | ||
| art therapy programs exists; | ||
| (2) identifies the challenges an institution of higher | ||
| education may face in achieving accreditation for those programs; | ||
| (3) includes recommendations for legislative or other | ||
| action; and | ||
| (4) includes any other matter the coordinating board | ||
| considers appropriate. | ||
| (b) Not later than December 1, 2020, the coordinating board | ||
| shall submit the written report to the governor, lieutenant | ||
| governor, and legislature. | ||
| SECTION 4. EXPIRATION. This Act expires September 1, 2021. | ||
| SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September | ||
| 1, 2019. | ||
