88R13136 ANG-D
By: Jones of Harris H.B. No. 4575
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to continuing education requirements for public school
counselors regarding lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer,
or questioning youth issues.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 21, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 21.0542 to read as follows:
Sec. 21.0542. CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR SCHOOL COUNSELORS
REGARDING LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER, QUEER, OR
QUESTIONING YOUTH ISSUES. (a) The board shall propose rules
requiring a counselor to complete a three-hour continuing education
course to help school counselors address issues concerning students
who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning.
(b) The rules proposed by the board under this section may
allow a school counselor to receive credit toward the total number
of hours required for the counselor's overall continuing education
requirements for completion of a course under this section.
(c) The board shall identify or create a continuing
education course or program that meets the requirements of
Subsection (a) and includes training regarding:
(1) pronoun terminology and usage;
(2) the handling of hate crimes and bullying against
students who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or
questioning;
(3) mental health and suicide education related to the
specific struggles encountered by students who are lesbian, gay,
bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning;
(4) advice to provide a student for communicating the
student's sexual orientation or gender identity to the student's
parent;
(5) the creation of a welcoming environment that is
culturally sensitive for students who are lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender, queer, or questioning; and
(6) past and present systems of oppression for persons
who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning.
(d) The board may consult with the following persons or
entities as necessary to implement this section:
(1) a psychologist specializing in child psychology;
(2) a psychologist specializing in care for persons
who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning;
or
(3) an appropriate nonprofit organization.
SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Act, the State Board for Educator Certification shall
propose rules implementing Section 21.0542, Education Code, as
added by this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.