Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas House Bill HB2377

Voted on by House
 
Out of Senate Committee
 
Voted on by Senate
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 

Caption

Relating to funding for projects that improve the physical and mental health of public school students and enhance the safety of public schools in this state; authorizing a fee.

Impact

The bill introduces a well-defined framework for grant allocation, which may significantly influence public school budgeting and resources dedicated to mental health initiatives and emergency preparedness training. The total cap for grants in a school year is set at $500 million, with individual districts eligible for up to $10 million annually. This financial provision is intended to create a more standardized and effective approach for schools to enhance programs addressing both health and safety measures, reflecting a commitment to both student welfare and educational stability.

Summary

House Bill 2377 aims to enhance the physical and mental health of public school students in Texas while improving safety within public schools. The bill proposes the establishment of a State School Health and Safety Fund, which focuses on granting funds to school districts and charters for health-related expenditures and safety improvements. The structure of the fund is set to draw from excess appropriations from the Foundation School Program, ensuring that the money is earmarked for projects that benefit student welfare and institutional safety protocols.

Contention

Despite the favorable outlook on the bill's intentions, there may be areas of contention regarding the distribution of funds and the potential bureaucratic implications of the grant program. Some stakeholders could raise concerns regarding the limits placed on the amount each district can receive and the necessity for proportional reductions in grant awards during times of high demand. Moreover, the nature of health-related services funded by the bill may ignite debates over priorities in student welfare and the adequacy of existing mental health resources in schools.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Education Code

  • Chapter 47. Tax Reduction And Excellence In Education Fund
    • Section: New Section
  • Chapter 48. Foundation School Program
    • Section: 115

Companion Bills

TX HJR124

Enabling for Proposing a constitutional amendment creating the state school health and safety fund to provide financial support for projects that improve the physical and mental health of public school students and enhance the safety of public schools in this state.

Previously Filed As

TX HB13

Relating to training, preparedness, and funding for school safety and emergencies in public schools.

TX SB11

Relating to measures for ensuring safety and security in public schools, including measures related to the health and safety of public school students and active shooter training for certain peace officers.

TX HB2

Relating to measures for ensuring safety and security in public schools, including the establishment of a school safety grant program and a school safety plan implementation grant program, and the allocation of certain constitutional transfers of money to the state school safety fund, the economic stabilization fund, and the state highway fund.

TX HB3

Relating to measures for ensuring public school safety, including the development and implementation of purchases relating to and funding for public school safety and security requirements and the provision of safety-related resources.

TX HJR170

Proposing a constitutional amendment creating the state school safety fund to provide financial support for projects that enhance the safety of public schools in this state.

TX HB4406

Relating to creating the State School Safety Fund to provide financial support for projects that enhance the safety of schools in this state.

TX HB4979

Relating to measures for ensuring safety and security in public schools, including measures related to certain student records and conduct.

TX HB1

Relating to primary and secondary education, including the certification, compensation, and health coverage of certain public school employees, the public school finance system, special education in public schools, the establishment of an education savings account program, measures to support the education of public school students that include certain educational grant programs, reading instruction, and early childhood education, the provision of virtual education, and public school accountability.

TX HB1

Relating to primary and secondary education, including the certification, compensation, and health coverage of certain public school employees, the public school finance system, special education in public schools, the establishment of an education savings account program, measures to support the education of public school students that include certain educational grant programs, reading instruction, and early childhood education, the provision of virtual education, and public school accountability.

TX HB46

Relating to establishing the safety protection grant program under which the parent of a student whose safety is in jeopardy may elect to transfer the student to another public school campus or receive funding for the student to attend private school.

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