By: RodrÃguez S.B. No. 1624
(In the Senate - Filed March 12, 2015; March 23, 2015, read
first time and referred to Committee on Higher Education;
May 7, 2015, reported adversely, with favorable Committee
Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 5, Nays 2; May 7, 2015, sent
to printer.)
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 1624 By: Watson
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a requirement that certain entering students at a
general academic teaching institution receive information
regarding mental health and suicide prevention services.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 51.9194 to read as follows:
Sec. 51.9194. REQUIRED INFORMATION FOR ENTERING STUDENTS
REGARDING MENTAL HEALTH AND SUICIDE PREVENTION SERVICES. (a) A
general academic teaching institution shall provide to each
entering full-time undergraduate, graduate, or professional
student, including each full-time undergraduate, graduate, or
professional student who transfers to the institution, information
about:
(1) available mental health and suicide prevention
services offered by the institution or by any associated
organizations or programs; and
(2) early warning signs that are often present in and
appropriate intervention for a person who may be considering
suicide.
(b) The information required under this section:
(1) may be provided through:
(A) a live presentation; or
(B) a format that allows for student interaction,
such as an online program or video, and that lasts not more than 15
minutes; and
(2) may not be provided in a paper format only.
SECTION 2. Section 51.9194, Education Code, as added by
this Act, applies to full-time entering students who are admitted
to an undergraduate, graduate, or professional degree program at a
general academic teaching institution beginning with the 2016 fall
semester.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2015.
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