86R2850 CAE-F
By: Bernal H.B. No. 129
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the assignment of certain certified or licensed
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 33.909 to read as follows:
Sec. 33.909. ASSIGNMENT OF CERTAIN CERTIFIED OR LICENSED
PROFESSIONALS. (a) At each campus in a school district in which 90
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, the district shall assign at
least one person employed by the district who is:
(1) a school counselor; or
(2) an audiologist, occupational therapist, physical
therapist, physician, nurse, school psychologist, associate school
psychologist, professional counselor, marriage and family
therapist, social worker, or speech language pathologist licensed
by the appropriate state agency that licenses that profession and
who holds the appropriate credential from the appropriate state
agency.
(b) A school district may not require a person 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 CERTAIN CERTIFIED OR
LICENSED 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 certified or
licensed professionals required by Section 33.909.
(b) The commissioner shall adopt rules as necessary to
administer this section.
SECTION 3. This Act applies beginning with the 2020-2021
school year.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.