TITLE: Relating to social workers employed by school districts.

SUMMARY: Relating to social workers employed by school districts.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to social workers employed by school districts. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 33, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 33.905 to read as follows: Sec. 33.905. SOCIAL WORKERS. (a) In this section, "school social work services" means services specialized to assist students and families and designed to alleviate barriers to learning, connect the home, the community, and the school, advocate for the best interest and academic success of students, strengthen relationships, and assist with basic needs. (b) A social worker employed by a school district: (1) shall: (A) collaborate with district administrators and other district professionals to enhance students' learning environments; (B) as appropriate, serve on district committees that address education and safety issues for students; and (C) collaborate with parents, teachers, district administrators, and the community to develop and implement school violence prevention, suicide prevention, and child abuse identification strategies; and (2) may provide: (A) school social work services to students and families in the district; and (B) behavioral health referrals and group intervention services as needed. (c) The board of trustees of a school district may adopt a policy that requires a social worker employed by the district to spend at least 80 percent of the social worker's total work time on duties described by this section. SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2025-2026 school year. 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.