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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the establishment of a school safety and mental health |
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grant program. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 38, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 38.041 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 38.041. SCHOOL SAFETY AND MENTAL HEALTH GRANT PROGRAM. |
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(a) The agency shall establish and administer a grant program to |
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provide financial assistance to school districts and |
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open-enrollment charter schools for the purpose of implementing a |
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school safety and mental health program that: |
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(1) facilitates partnerships between school districts |
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or open-enrollment charter schools and the following entities to |
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provide support to district or school employees in managing the |
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prevention and early identification of student mental health |
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issues: |
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(A) nonprofit organizations; and |
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(B) recognized fusion centers, as defined by |
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Section 421.001, Government Code, operating in the district's or |
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school's region; |
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(2) uses a socio-emotional wellness coach or |
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psychological safety officer to provide support for teachers, |
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administrators, support staff, and other employees or contractors |
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who work directly with students in a school district or |
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open-enrollment charter school; and |
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(3) provides an interactive online platform of |
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psychological safety information and resources for use by district |
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or school employees. |
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(b) The agency shall award a grant to each eligible school |
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district or open-enrollment charter school that applies for the |
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grant using money appropriated or otherwise available for that |
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purpose. The amount of a grant awarded to each eligible school |
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district or open-enrollment charter school under the grant program |
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may not exceed $100,000. |
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(c) The agency may adopt rules to administer the grant |
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program established under this section, including rules that |
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establish: |
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(1) eligibility criteria for grant applications; |
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(2) grant application procedures; |
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(3) guidelines related to grant amounts; |
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(4) procedures for evaluating grant applications; and |
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(5) procedures for monitoring the use of a grant |
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awarded under the program and ensuring compliance with any |
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condition of the grant. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |