By: Menéndez S.B. No. 2342
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to bullying prevention in public schools, including the
establishment of a bullying prevention program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 37, Education Code, is
amended by adding Sections 37.0833 to read as follows:
Sec. 37.0833. BULLYING PREVENTION PILOT PROGRAM. (a) In
this section, "bullying" has the meaning assigned by Section
37.0832.
(b) The commissioner shall establish and administer a
bullying prevention pilot program to help reduce incidents of
bullying in public schools.
(c) In establishing the bullying prevention program under
Subsection (b), the commissioner may collaborate with:
(1) qualified experts and researchers in the areas of
child and youth wellbeing, mental health, and education; and
(2) other appropriate stakeholders.
(d) Using funds appropriated for that purpose, the
commissioner shall establish and administer a grant program under
which a school district that demonstrates a substantial need for
bullying prevention may receive a grant to implement the bullying
prevention pilot program at no more than three campuses within the
district.
(e) The commissioner shall establish application criteria
for receipt of a grant under this section.
(f) The commissioner shall establish allowable uses of
grant funds under this section.
(g) The agency shall use funds allocated for the grant
program under this section to provide technical assistance to grant
recipients under this section, including through regional
education service centers.
(h) The commissioner shall adopt rules to implement this
section.
(i) The commissioner may use funds otherwise available,
including funds provided through grants or donations sought and
accepted by the agency, to implement this section. If funds are not
appropriated to implement this section, the commissioner is not
required to implement the provisions of this section.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.