88R11716 JTZ-F
By: Hefner H.B. No. 3614
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to allowing school districts to employ chaplains to
perform the duties of school counselors.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 33.002, Education Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:
(d) Notwithstanding Subsections (b) and (c) or any other
law, a school district may employ a chaplain instead of a school
counselor to perform the duties required of a school counselor
under this title. A chaplain employed under this subsection is not
required to be certified by the State Board for Educator
Certification.
SECTION 2. Section 48.115(b), Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(b) Funds allocated under this section must be used to
improve school safety and security, including costs associated
with:
(1) securing school facilities, including:
(A) improvements to school infrastructure;
(B) the use or installation of physical barriers;
and
(C) the purchase and maintenance of:
(i) security cameras or other security
equipment; and
(ii) technology, including communications
systems or devices, that facilitates communication and information
sharing between students, school personnel, and first responders in
an emergency;
(2) providing security for the district, including:
(A) employing school district peace officers,
private security officers, and school marshals; and
(B) collaborating with local law enforcement
agencies, such as entering into a memorandum of understanding for
the assignment of school resource officers to schools in the
district;
(3) school safety and security training and planning,
including:
(A) active shooter and emergency response
training;
(B) prevention and treatment programs relating
to addressing adverse childhood experiences; and
(C) the prevention, identification, and
management of emergencies and threats, using evidence-based,
effective prevention practices and including:
(i) providing licensed counselors, social
workers, chaplains, and individuals trained in restorative
discipline and restorative justice practices;
(ii) providing mental health personnel and
support, including chaplains;
(iii) providing behavioral health
services, including services provided by chaplains;
(iv) establishing threat reporting
systems; and
(v) developing and implementing programs
focused on restorative justice practices, culturally relevant
instruction, and providing mental health support, including
support provided by chaplains; and
(4) providing programs related to suicide prevention,
intervention, and postvention, including programs provided by
chaplains.
SECTION 3. Each board of trustees of a school district and
each governing body of an open-enrollment charter school shall take
a record vote not later than six months after the effective date of
this Act on whether to adopt a policy authorizing a campus of the
district or school to hire a chaplain under Section 33.002(d),
Education Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act applies beginning with the 2023-2024
school year.
SECTION 5. 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.