2021 Texas Statutes
Education Code
Title 2 - Public Education
Subtitle G - Safe Schools
Chapter 38 - Health and Safety
Subchapter F. Mental Health Resources
Section 38.254. Statewide Plan for Student Mental Health
Sec. 38.254. STATEWIDE PLAN FOR STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH. (a) The agency shall develop a statewide plan to ensure all students have access to adequate mental health resources. The agency shall include in the plan:
(1) a description of any revisions made to the rubric required by Section 38.251;
(2) the results of the most recent regional inventory of mental health resources required by Section 38.252, including any additional resources identified;
(3) the results of the most recent statewide inventory of mental health resources required by Section 38.253, including any additional resources identified;
(4) the agency's goals for student mental health access to be applied across the state, including goals relating to:
(A) methods to objectively measure positive school climate;
(B) increasing the availability of early, effective school-based or school-connected mental health interventions and resources for students in need of additional support; and
(C) increasing the availability of referrals for students and families to specialized services for students in need of additional support outside the school;
(5) a list of actions the commissioner may take without legislative action to help all districts reach the agency's goals described by the plan; and
(6) recommendations to the legislature on methods to ensure that all districts can meet the agency's goals described in the plan through legislative appropriations or other action by the legislature.
(b) In developing the agency's goals under Subsection (a)(4), the agency shall consult with any person the agency believes is necessary to the development of the goals, including:
(1) educators;
(2) mental health practitioners;
(3) advocacy groups; and
(4) parents.
(c) The agency shall revise the plan not later than April 1 of each even-numbered year.
(d) As soon as practicable after completing or revising the plan, the agency shall:
(1) submit an electronic copy of the plan to the legislature;
(2) post the plan on the agency's Internet website; and
(3) hold public meetings in each regional education service center's region to present the statewide plan and shall provide an opportunity for public comment at each meeting.
Added by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 464 (S.B. 11), Sec. 19, eff. June 6, 2019.
