85R4599 GCB-D
By: Coleman H.B. No. 3853
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the availability of certain behavioral health
professionals at 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 that receives additional state aid
under Section 42.2519 shall:
(1) assign a behavioral health professional to each
campus in the district; or
(2) ensure the services of a behavioral health
professional are provided to students at each campus in the
district through a contract with one or more behavioral health
professionals or a private or nonprofit organization that employs
or provides the services of behavioral health professionals.
(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, the commissioner may
provide additional state aid to each school district in an amount,
as determined by the commissioner, sufficient to assist the
district in employing or contracting for the services of behavioral
health professionals under Section 33.910, if funds are available
for that purpose.
(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.