By: RodrÃguez Ramos H.B. No. 2633
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the provision of services by nonphysician mental health
professionals at school districts.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 38.0101, Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 38.0101. [AUTHORITY TO EMPLOY OR CONTRACT WITH]
NONPHYSICIAN MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS [PROFESSIONAL]. (a) A
school district shall [may] employ or contract with one or more
nonphysician mental health professionals to provide services at
each district campus. A school district must provide at least one
nonphysician mental health professional for every 600 students at
each campus.
(b) A nonphysician mental health professional providing
services under this section shall implement a comprehensive mental
health program for the campus the professional serves and spend at
least 80 percent of the professional's total work time providing
direct or indirect mental health services to students. The
commissioner shall adopt rules as necessary to administer this
subsection.
(c) In this section, "nonphysician mental health
professional" means:
(1) a psychologist licensed to practice in this state
and designated as a health-service provider;
(2) a registered nurse with a master's or doctoral
degree in psychiatric nursing;
(3) a licensed clinical social worker;
(4) a professional counselor licensed to practice in
this state; or
(5) a marriage and family therapist licensed to
practice in this state.
(d) Each school district must demonstrate to the agency
compliance with this section not later than August 1, 2027. This
subsection expires August 1, 2028.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.