Bill > HB2129

This bill addresses school-based health services in Texas, focusing on mental health and behavioral health support for public school students. The bill allows school districts to contract with local mental health authorities to provide on-campus services and mandates that these authorities share assessment results with a student's primary care physician when requested by the parent or guardian. It establishes new provisions for the School Health and Related Services (SHRS) program, requiring the Health and Human Services Commission to ensure program integrity through annual audits, risk assessments, and compliance checks. The bill also allows the commission to retain up to 2% of federal program funds for administrative costs. For Medicaid-enrolled students, the bill ensures reimbursement to local education agencies for mental health and behavioral health services, with requirements for parental consent and written summaries of service visits. Parents can provide or revoke consent for services, and the bill stipulates that third-party insurers cannot receive reimbursement for benefit coordination. The legislation aims to improve access to mental health services in schools while maintaining robust oversight and protecting student and family privacy.

Health and Social Services

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB2129