86R5170 SOS-F
By: Powell S.B. No. 992
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of a collaborative task force to
study certain public school mental health services.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 38, Education Code, is amended by adding
Subchapter F to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER F. COLLABORATIVE TASK FORCE ON PUBLIC SCHOOL MENTAL
HEALTH SERVICES
Sec. 38.301. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(1) "Institution of higher education" has the meaning
assigned by Section 61.003.
(2) "Task force" means the Collaborative Task Force on
Public School Mental Health Services.
Sec. 38.302. ESTABLISHMENT. The Collaborative Task Force
on Public School Mental Health Services is established to study and
evaluate:
(1) mental health services that are funded by
competitive state grants and provided at a school district or
open-enrollment charter school directly to:
(A) a student enrolled in the district or school;
(B) a parent or family member of or person
standing in parental relation to a student enrolled in the district
or school; or
(C) an employee of the district or school; and
(2) training provided to an educator employed by the
district or school to provide the mental health services described
by Subdivision (1).
Sec. 38.303. MEMBERSHIP. (a) The task force is composed
of:
(1) the commissioner or the commissioner's designee;
and
(2) six additional members appointed by the
commissioner as follows:
(A) one parent of a student who is enrolled in a
school district or open-enrollment charter school and receives the
mental health services described by Section 38.302(1);
(B) one person who provides the mental health
services described by Section 38.302(1) or the training described
by Section 38.302(2) and who is:
(i) a licensed specialist in school
psychology, as defined by Section 501.002, Occupations Code;
(ii) a licensed professional counselor, as
defined by Section 503.002, Occupations Code;
(iii) a licensed clinical social worker, as
defined by Section 505.002, Occupations Code; or
(iv) a school counselor certified under
Subchapter B, Chapter 21;
(C) one person who is an administrator of a
district or school that provides the mental health services
described by Section 38.302(1) or the training described by Section
38.302(2);
(D) one person who is a member of a foundation
that invests in the mental health services described by Section
38.302(1) or the training described by Section 38.302(2); and
(E) two persons, each of whom is an employee of an
institution of higher education designated under Section 38.307.
(b) Appointments to the task force shall be made without
regard to the race, color, disability, sex, religion, age, or
national origin of the appointee.
(c) Chapter 2110, Government Code, does not apply to the
task force.
Sec. 38.304. OFFICERS. (a) The commissioner is designated
as the interim presiding officer for purposes of calling and
conducting the initial meeting of the task force.
(b) The task force:
(1) shall at its initial meeting select a presiding
officer from among its members for the purpose of calling and
conducting meetings; and
(2) may select an assistant presiding officer and a
secretary from among its members.
Sec. 38.305. COMPENSATION; REIMBURSEMENT. A member of the
task force may not receive compensation or reimbursement for
service on the task force.
Sec. 38.306. MEETINGS. (a) After its initial meeting, the
task force shall meet at least twice each year at a time and place
determined by the presiding officer.
(b) The task force may meet at other times the task force
considers appropriate. The presiding officer may call a meeting on
the officer's own motion.
(c) The task force may meet by teleconference.
Sec. 38.307. SUPPORT SERVICES FOR TASK FORCE. (a) The
commissioner shall designate one institution of higher education
with experience in evaluating mental health services to serve as
the lead institution for the task force. The institution
designated under this subsection shall provide faculty, staff, and
administrative support services to the task force as determined
necessary by the task force to administer this subchapter.
(b) The commissioner shall designate two institutions of
higher education with experience in evaluating mental health
services to assist the task force and the lead institution
designated under Subsection (a) as determined necessary by the task
force to administer this subchapter.
(c) In making a designation under this section, the
commissioner shall give preference to at least one predominantly
black institution, as defined by 20 U.S.C. Section 1067q(c)(9).
(d) On request of the task force, the agency, a school
district, or an open-enrollment charter school shall provide
information or other assistance to the task force.
Sec. 38.308. DUTIES OF TASK FORCE. (a) The task force
shall:
(1) gather data on the race, ethnicity, gender,
special education status, and geographic location of individuals
who are provided the mental health services described by Section
38.302(1); and
(2) study, evaluate, and make recommendations
regarding the mental health services described by Section 38.302(1)
and the training described by Section 38.302(2), including
addressing:
(A) the outcomes and the effectiveness of the
services and training provided, including the outcomes and
effectiveness of the service and training providers and the
programs under which services and training are provided, in:
(i) improving student academic achievement
and attendance;
(ii) reducing student disciplinary
proceedings, suspensions, placements in a disciplinary alternative
education program, and expulsions;
(iii) providing early mental health
prevention and intervention;
(iv) building skills relating to managing
emotions, establishing and maintaining positive relationships, and
making responsible decisions;
(v) preventing substance abuse;
(vi) preventing suicides;
(vii) adhering to the purpose of the
relevant program services or training;
(viii) promoting trauma-informed
practices; and
(ix) promoting a positive school climate,
including improving safety in the district or school;
(B) best practices for districts and schools in
providing the services or training; and
(C) disparities in the race, ethnicity, gender,
special education status, and geographic location of individuals
receiving the services.
(b) The task force may evaluate mental health services
funded from a source other than a competitive grant that are
provided to students enrolled in a school district or
open-enrollment charter school.
Sec. 38.309. REPORTS. Not later than November 1 of each
even-numbered year, the task force shall submit to the governor,
the lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house of
representatives a report of the results of the task force's
activities conducted under Section 38.308 and any recommendations
for legislative or other action.
Sec. 38.310. GIFTS AND GRANTS; ADMINISTRATIVE COST
RESTRICTION. (a) The task force may accept a gift or grant from a
private individual, a foundation, or the federal government.
(b) The task force may not spend for the administration of
the task force more than 10 percent of any money appropriated to the
task force for the purpose of this subchapter.
Sec. 38.311. EXPIRATION. The task force is abolished and
this subchapter expires December 1, 2022.
SECTION 2. Not later than October 1, 2019, the commissioner
of education shall:
(1) appoint the members of the Collaborative Task
Force on Public School Mental Health Services, as required by
Section 38.303, Education Code, as added by this Act; and
(2) designate the institutions of higher education to
provide support services, as required by Section 38.307, 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.