Bill > SB649

This bill modifies the existing school safety allotment and creates a new mental and behavioral health allotment under the Foundation School Program. For the school safety allotment, the bill removes provisions related to mental health services, chaplains, and suicide prevention, and clarifies that these funds cannot be used for mental and behavioral health services. The new mental and behavioral health allotment provides school districts with funding based on the number of students at risk of dropping out, allocating a base amount of $100,000 plus $70 per at-risk student. These funds must be used to provide mental and behavioral health services, develop comprehensive school mental health systems, and support student well-being through various programs and practices. The bill allows districts to use the funds to hire specialized mental health professionals, provide training, establish community partnerships, and offer telehealth services. Districts must submit annual reports on the use of these funds, and the commissioner will publish a report summarizing how the funds were used. The mental and behavioral health allotment will expire on September 1, 2034, and the bill will take effect on September 1, 2025.

Education

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB649