TITLE: Relating to the inclusion of mental health in the public services endorsement on a public school diploma and in information about health science career pathways.

SUMMARY: Relating to the inclusion of mental health in the public services endorsement on a public school diploma and in information about health science career pathways.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the inclusion of mental health in the public services endorsement on a public school diploma and in information about health science career pathways. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 28, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 28.02122 to read as follows: Sec. 28.02122. INCLUSION OF MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONS IN HEALTH SCIENCE CAREER INFORMATION. The agency shall ensure that any information provided to students relating to health science careers includes information regarding mental health professions. To the extent that the public services endorsement includes information on health science career pathways, the information must include mental health careers as a possible pathway. SECTION 2. Section 28.025(c-1), Education Code, is amended to read as follows: (c-1) A student may earn an endorsement on the student's diploma and transcript by successfully completing curriculum requirements for that endorsement adopted by the State Board of Education by rule. The State Board of Education by rule shall provide students with multiple options for earning each endorsement, including, to the greatest extent possible, coherent sequences of courses. The State Board of Education by rule must permit a student to enroll in courses under more than one endorsement curriculum before the student's junior year. An endorsement under this subsection may be earned in any of the following categories: (1) science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), which includes courses directly related to science, including environmental science, technology, including computer science, engineering, and advanced mathematics; (2) business and industry, which includes courses directly related to database management, information technology, communications, accounting, finance, marketing, graphic design, architecture, construction, welding, logistics, automotive technology, agricultural science, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning; (3) public services, which includes courses directly related to health sciences and occupations, mental health, education and training, law enforcement, and culinary arts and hospitality; (4) arts and humanities, which includes courses directly related to political science, world languages, cultural studies, English literature, history, and fine arts; and (5) multidisciplinary studies, which allows a student to: (A) select courses from the curriculum of each endorsement area described by Subdivisions (1) through (4); and (B) earn credits in a variety of advanced courses from multiple content areas sufficient to complete the distinguished level of achievement under the foundation high school program. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.