89R16128 AMF-D
By: Menéndez S.B. No. 2464
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of a school safety and mental health
grant program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 38, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 38.041 to read as follows:
Sec. 38.041. SCHOOL SAFETY AND MENTAL HEALTH GRANT PROGRAM.
(a) The agency shall establish and administer a grant program to
provide financial assistance to school districts and
open-enrollment charter schools for the purpose of implementing a
school safety and mental health program that:
(1) facilitates partnerships between school districts
or open-enrollment charter schools and the following entities to
provide support to district or school employees in managing the
prevention and early identification of student mental health
issues:
(A) nonprofit organizations; and
(B) recognized fusion centers, as defined by
Section 421.001, Government Code, operating in the district's or
school's region;
(2) uses a socio-emotional wellness coach or
psychological safety officer to provide support for teachers,
administrators, support staff, and other employees or contractors
who work directly with students in a school district or
open-enrollment charter school; and
(3) provides an interactive online platform of
psychological safety information and resources for use by district
or school employees.
(b) The agency shall award a grant to each eligible school
district or open-enrollment charter school that applies for the
grant using money appropriated or otherwise available for that
purpose. The amount of a grant awarded to each eligible school
district or open-enrollment charter school under the grant program
may not exceed $100,000.
(c) The agency may adopt rules to administer the grant
program established under this section, including rules that
establish:
(1) eligibility criteria for grant applications;
(2) grant application procedures;
(3) guidelines related to grant amounts;
(4) procedures for evaluating grant applications; and
(5) procedures for monitoring the use of a grant
awarded under the program and ensuring compliance with any
condition of the grant.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.