88R20305 ANG-F
By: Allison, Meza H.B. No. 4845
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of a bullying prevention pilot
program for public schools.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 37, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 37.0835 to read as follows:
Sec. 37.0835. BULLYING PREVENTION PILOT PROGRAM. (a) In
this section:
(1) "Bullying" has the meaning assigned by Section
37.0832.
(2) "Pilot program" means the bullying prevention
pilot program established under this section.
(b) The agency shall:
(1) develop a bullying prevention pilot program to
reduce incidents of bullying on public school campuses; and
(2) award grants to eligible school districts to
implement the pilot program on district campuses.
(c) In developing the pilot program under Subsection (b),
the agency shall:
(1) use research-based best practices for the
prevention of bullying; and
(2) collaborate with qualified experts and
researchers with experience in child and youth psychology, mental
health, and education.
(d) From funds appropriated for the purpose, the
commissioner shall award grants to school districts that
demonstrate a substantial need for bullying prevention, as
determined by the commissioner. A school district that is awarded a
grant under this subsection shall implement the pilot program at
not more than three campuses in the district.
(e) The agency shall use funds appropriated for purposes of
the pilot program under this section to provide technical
assistance to grant recipients. The agency may provide technical
assistance through regional education service centers.
(f) The commissioner shall:
(1) establish application criteria for a school
district to apply to receive a grant under this section; and
(2) determine allowable uses of grant funds by a
school district under this section.
(g) The commissioner may use funds otherwise available and
may solicit or accept grants or donations to implement this
section.
(h) The commissioner shall adopt rules as necessary to
implement this section.
(i) The commissioner is not required to develop the pilot
program or award grants under this section unless money is
specifically appropriated for that purpose.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.