TITLE: Relating to requiring a school district to employ a social worker to assist district security personnel and oversee the district's threat assessment and safe and supportive school teams.

SUMMARY: Relating to requiring a school district to employ a social worker to assist district security personnel and oversee the district's threat assessment and safe and supportive school teams.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to requiring a school district to employ a social worker to assist district security personnel and oversee the district's threat assessment and safe and supportive school teams. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 37, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 37.08135 to read as follows: Sec. 37.08135. SOCIAL WORKER REQUIRED. The board of trustees of each school district shall employ one or more social workers licensed under Chapter 505, Occupations Code, to work with the district's peace officers, school resource officers, or other security personnel to: (1) identify and address underlying student behaviors related to social, emotional, behavioral, mental, or substance abuse issues; (2) assist with emergency situations at the district; and (3) provide wrap-around services, case management, and ongoing support to students enrolled at the district and the students' families. SECTION 2. Section 37.115(e), Education Code, is amended to read as follows: (e) The superintendent of a school district shall assign to a social worker employed by the district under Section 37.08135 [may establish a committee, or assign to an existing committee established by the district] the duty to oversee the operations of teams established for the district. The superintendent may establish a committee, or assign to an existing committee established by the district, the duty to assist a social worker with oversight responsibility under this subsection. A committee [with oversight responsibility] under this subsection must include members with expertise in human resources, education, special education, counseling, behavior management, school administration, mental health and substance use, school safety and security, emergency management, and law enforcement. SECTION 3. This Act applies beginning with the 2023-2024 school year. SECTION 4. 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.