By: Bucy H.B. No. 54
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of the School Psychologists Shortage
Task Force.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. In this Act:
(1) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of
education.
(2) "Task force" means the School Psychologists
Shortage Task Force established under Section 2 of this Act.
SECTION 2. SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS SHORTAGE TASK FORCE. (a)
The commissioner shall establish the School Psychologists Shortage
Task Force to study issues related to the shortage of school
psychologists.
(b) The members of the task force must include:
(1) three members appointed by the lieutenant governor
as follows:
(A) two members of the senate; and
(B) one licensed specialist in school
psychology;
(2) three members appointed by the speaker of the
house of representatives as follows:
(A) two members of the house of representatives;
and
(B) one licensed specialist in school
psychology; and
(3) one member of the State Board of Education
appointed by the commissioner.
(c) The Texas Education Agency shall provide administrative
support to the task force.
(d) The commissioner shall appoint a member of the task
force to serve as the presiding officer.
(e) The task force shall meet at the call of the presiding
officer.
(f) The task force shall:
(1) conduct a study on the issues related to the
shortage of school psychologists among school districts, including
supply and demand issues for school-based psychological services
among districts; and
(2) provide recommendations for increasing the
presence of school psychologists in school districts and increasing
the use of school-based psychological services, as needed.
SECTION 3. REPORT. Not later than December 31, 2024, the
task force shall submit a report to the governor and the legislature
that includes the task force's findings and recommendations under
this Act.
SECTION 4. ABOLITION OF TASK FORCE; EXPIRATION. The task
force is abolished and this Act expires January 1, 2026.
SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE. 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 on the 91st day after the
last day of the legislative session.