86R7868 GCB-D
By: Lucio S.B. No. 856
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of the student mental health division
within the Texas Education Agency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 7, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 7.041 to read as follows:
Sec. 7.041. STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH DIVISION. The
commissioner by rule shall establish the student mental health
division within the agency to:
(1) develop and administer a plan to identify,
leverage, and align existing agency resources to promote the
academic success of students with mental health needs, including
students in special education programs under Subchapter A, Chapter
29; and
(2) promote strong local and statewide
school-community partnerships by coordinating with community-based
mental health services providers, youth services providers, and
school district resources, including school counselors, and with
relevant state agencies, including the Health and Human Services
Commission, the Department of State Health Services, the Department
of Family and Protective Services, the Texas Workforce Commission,
and the Texas Juvenile Justice Department.
SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Act, the commissioner of education shall adopt rules
establishing the student mental health division within the Texas
Education Agency as required by Section 7.041, Education Code, as
added by this Act.
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, 2019.