88R2744 JTZ-D
By: Hinojosa H.B. No. 2160
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to mental health professional staffing requirements at law
schools at public institutions of higher education.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 51.9197 to read as follows:
Sec. 51.9197. MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL STAFFING
REQUIREMENT. (a) In this section:
(1) "Institution of higher education" has the meaning
assigned by Section 61.003.
(2) "Mental health professional" has the meaning
assigned by Section 164.003, Health and Safety Code.
(b) Each law school at an institution of higher education
shall ensure that at least one full-time equivalent mental health
professional is available at the school.
(c) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall
adopt rules as necessary to administer this section.
SECTION 2. Section 51.9197, Education Code, as added by
this Act, applies beginning with the 2023-2024 academic year.
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, 2023.