TX
Texas House Bill HB2880

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas House Bill HB2880

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

Caption

Relating to providing a designation for school district campuses that take certain action to address the mental and behavioral health and well-being of students.

Impact

The implementation of HB 2880 is expected to create a more supportive environment for students' mental and emotional health within Texas schools. By formalizing the criteria for AWARE Campuses, the bill encourages schools to adopt a systematic approach to address mental health challenges that students may face. The bill is particularly relevant in the context of increasing awareness and demand for mental health resources in educational settings. Supporters of the bill believe it will lead to better resources for students, while critics may argue that the effectiveness of implementation will vary across districts, especially in underfunded areas.

Summary

House Bill 2880 aims to address mental and behavioral health in Texas schools by establishing a new designation for school district campuses that meet specific criteria. This designation, referred to as the Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education (AWARE) Campus, would recognize schools that actively implement programs and partnerships geared towards enhancing student mental health and well-being. The bill requires schools to employ school counselors dedicated to comprehensive counseling programs, maintain partnerships with local mental health service providers, and offer staff training on mental and behavioral health issues.

Contention

While the intent of HB 2880 is to enhance student mental health, there are potential concerns about measures of accountability and adequacy of funding for schools to meet the requirements set forth in the bill. The discussion around the bill could highlight divisions between lawmakers who advocate for comprehensive mental health reforms in schools and those who may view it as an unfunded mandate. Resources and support systems vary widely among school districts, meaning that some may struggle to fulfill the new requirements without additional state funding or guidance on best practices.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Education Code

  • Chapter 33. Service Programs And Extracurricular Activities
    • Section: New Section
  • Chapter 37. Discipline; Law And Order
    • Section: 115
  • Chapter 21. Educators
    • Section: New Section
  • Chapter 22. School District Employees And Volunteers
    • Section: 904
  • Chapter 38. Health And Safety
    • Section: 036
    • Section: New Section

Health And Safety Code

  • Chapter 113. Texas Child Mental Health Care Consortium
    • Section: 0152

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

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 SB26

Relating to local mental health authority and local behavioral health authority audits and mental and behavioral health reporting, services, and programs.

TX HB3992

Relating to the identification of certain student behavior by a school district's threat assessment and safe and supportive school team.

TX HB2451

Relating to the permissible uses of the school safety allotment and the creation of a mental health allotment under the Foundation School Program.

TX SB948

Relating to the permissible uses of the school safety allotment and the creation of a mental health allotment under the Foundation School Program.

TX HB2588

Relating to the permissible uses of the school safety allotment and the creation of a mental health allotment under the Foundation School Program.

TX HB98

Relating to the administration, provision, and Medicaid reimbursement of mental health or behavioral health services provided to certain public school students.

TX HB2868

Relating to providing mental health services and mental health education to public school students at school-based health centers.

TX HB498

Relating to policies and procedures for addressing bullying and harassment in public schools.

TX HB2059

Relating to mental health first aid training provided by local mental health authorities and local behavioral health authorities.

Similar Bills

TX HB2703

Relating to the establishment of the Texas Board of Behavior Analyst Examiners and the requirement to obtain a license to practice as a behavior analyst or assistant behavior analyst; imposing fees; providing an administrative penalty.

TX HB26

Relating to the establishment of the Texas Board of Behavior Analyst Examiners and the requirement to obtain a license to practice as a behavior analyst or assistant behavior analyst; imposing fees; providing an administrative penalty; providing a civil penalty; creating a criminal offense.

TX SB589

Relating to the licensing and regulation of behavior analysts and assistant behavior analysts; requiring an occupational license; imposing fees.

RI H5635

Changes the name of "applied behavior assistant analyst" to "assistant applied behavior analyst" and makes several changes to provide consistency in the certification language for behavioral analysts.

RI S0790

Changes the name of "applied behavior assistant analyst" to "assistant applied behavior analyst" and makes several changes to provide consistency in the certification language for behavioral analysts.

CA AB2416

Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative Act: virtual platform.

CA AB686

California Community-Based Behavioral Health Outcomes and Accountability Review.

WV HB2175

Relating to the regulation of behavioral health centers