Relating to providing a designation for school district campuses that take certain action to address the mental and behavioral health and well-being of students.
Impact
The implementation of HB 2880 is expected to create a more supportive environment for students' mental and emotional health within Texas schools. By formalizing the criteria for AWARE Campuses, the bill encourages schools to adopt a systematic approach to address mental health challenges that students may face. The bill is particularly relevant in the context of increasing awareness and demand for mental health resources in educational settings. Supporters of the bill believe it will lead to better resources for students, while critics may argue that the effectiveness of implementation will vary across districts, especially in underfunded areas.
Summary
House Bill 2880 aims to address mental and behavioral health in Texas schools by establishing a new designation for school district campuses that meet specific criteria. This designation, referred to as the Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education (AWARE) Campus, would recognize schools that actively implement programs and partnerships geared towards enhancing student mental health and well-being. The bill requires schools to employ school counselors dedicated to comprehensive counseling programs, maintain partnerships with local mental health service providers, and offer staff training on mental and behavioral health issues.
Contention
While the intent of HB 2880 is to enhance student mental health, there are potential concerns about measures of accountability and adequacy of funding for schools to meet the requirements set forth in the bill. The discussion around the bill could highlight divisions between lawmakers who advocate for comprehensive mental health reforms in schools and those who may view it as an unfunded mandate. Resources and support systems vary widely among school districts, meaning that some may struggle to fulfill the new requirements without additional state funding or guidance on best practices.
Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected
Education Code
Chapter 33. Service Programs And Extracurricular Activities
Section: New Section
Chapter 37. Discipline; Law And Order
Section: 115
Chapter 21. Educators
Section: New Section
Chapter 22. School District Employees And Volunteers
Section: 904
Chapter 38. Health And Safety
Section: 036
Section: New Section
Health And Safety Code
Chapter 113. Texas Child Mental Health Care Consortium
Relating to measures for ensuring safety and security in public schools, including measures related to the health and safety of public school students and active shooter training for certain peace officers.
Relating to local mental health authority and local behavioral health authority audits and mental and behavioral health reporting, services, and programs.
Relating to the administration, provision, and Medicaid reimbursement of mental health or behavioral health services provided to certain public school students.
Relating to requiring a school district or open-enrollment charter school to report data regarding certain disciplinary or law enforcement actions taken against students.
Relating to the establishment of the Texas Board of Behavior Analyst Examiners and the requirement to obtain a license to practice as a behavior analyst or assistant behavior analyst; imposing fees; providing an administrative penalty.
Relating to the establishment of the Texas Board of Behavior Analyst Examiners and the requirement to obtain a license to practice as a behavior analyst or assistant behavior analyst; imposing fees; providing an administrative penalty; providing a civil penalty; creating a criminal offense.
Changes the name of "applied behavior assistant analyst" to "assistant applied behavior analyst" and makes several changes to provide consistency in the certification language for behavioral analysts.
Changes the name of "applied behavior assistant analyst" to "assistant applied behavior analyst" and makes several changes to provide consistency in the certification language for behavioral analysts.