Texas House Bill HB3407

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Caption

Relating to the establishment of a task force to address suicide prevention at public institutions of higher education.

Impact

The establishment of this task force is significant in influencing state laws regarding mental health resources and suicide prevention measures at educational institutions. By compiling information on existing mental health programs, the task force will aim to create a unified approach to tackling student suicides, which has been a growing concern within educational settings. The recommendations that may arise from this task force could result in statewide policies that enhance the availability and effectiveness of mental health resources available to students.

Summary

House Bill 3407 is focused on the establishment of a task force aimed at addressing suicide prevention in public institutions of higher education. The bill proposes the creation of a task force consisting of 13 members, appointed by various state legislative leaders and representatives from major Texas university systems. The task force is tasked with developing strategies to prevent suicide among students, reviewing existing programs, and identifying areas for improvement in student welfare across Texas institutions of higher education.

Contention

One notable aspect of HB3407 is the potential contention surrounding the implementation of its recommendations. While the task force is designed to unify and strengthen mental health initiatives, there may be differing opinions on the best practices for preventing suicide and the funding strategies proposed to support these efforts. These discussions could involve debates on state spending and the allocation of resources to mental health programs versus other fiscal priorities. Additionally, members of the task force will not receive compensation for their service, which could affect the overall effectiveness and engagement of its members.