By: Bernal H.B. No. 353
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the assignment of certain behavioral health
professionals to certain public schools.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 33, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 33.910 to read as follows:
Sec. 33.910. BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL. (a) In this
section, "behavioral health professional" means:
(1) a licensed specialist in school psychology
licensed under Chapter 501, Occupations Code;
(2) a licensed professional counselor licensed under
Chapter 503, Occupations Code;
(3) a licensed clinical social worker licensed under
Chapter 505, Occupations Code; or
(4) a school counselor with an appropriate certificate
or permit issued under Subchapter B, Chapter 21.
(b) A school district shall assign at least one behavioral
health professional to each campus in the district in which 50
percent or more of the students in average daily attendance at the
campus are educationally disadvantaged, homeless as defined by 42
U.S.C. Section 11302, or in the conservatorship of the Department
of Family and Protective Services.
(c) A school district may not require a behavioral health
professional assigned under this section to administer assessment
instruments or provide other assistance in connection with
assessment instruments.
SECTION 2. Subchapter E, Chapter 42, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 42.2519 to read as follows:
Sec. 42.2519. ADDITIONAL STATE AID FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
PROFESSIONALS. (a) For each school year, from funds that may be
used for the purpose, a school district is entitled to state aid in
an amount, as determined by the commissioner, sufficient to assist
the district in employing the number of behavioral health
professionals required by Section 33.910.
(b) The commissioner shall adopt rules as necessary to
administer this section.
SECTION 3. This Act applies beginning with the 2018-2019
school year.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.