2023 Texas Statutes › Education Code › Title 2 - Public Education › Subtitle G - Safe Schools › Chapter 38 - Health and Safety › Subchapter F. -1. Collaborative Task Force on Public School Mental Health Services › Section 38.308. Duties of Task Force

Sec. 38.308.  DUTIES OF TASK FORCE.  (a)  The task force shall:
(1)  gather data on:
(A)  the number of students enrolled in each school district and open-enrollment charter school;
(B)  the number of individuals to whom each school district or open-enrollment charter school provides the mental health services described by Section 38.302(1);
(C)  the number of individuals for whom each school district or open-enrollment charter school has the resources to provide the mental health services described by Section 38.302(1);
(D)  the number of individuals described by Paragraph (B) who are referred to an inpatient or outpatient mental health provider;
(E)  the number of individuals who are transported from each school district or open-enrollment charter school for an emergency detention under Chapter 573, Health and Safety Code;
(F)  the race, ethnicity, gender, special education status, educationally disadvantaged status, and geographic location of:
(i)  individuals who are provided the mental health services described by Section 38.302(1);
(ii)  individuals who are described by Paragraph (D);
(iii)  individuals who are described by Paragraph (E);
(iv)  individuals who are described by Paragraph (H); and
(v)  individuals who are described by Paragraph (I);
(G)  mental health services and trainings provided by:
(i)  school districts, at both the campus and district level; and
(ii)  open-enrollment charter schools;
(H)  the number of individuals who were placed in a disciplinary alternative education program or out-of-school suspension or expelled;
(I)  the number of threat assessments conducted under Section 37.115; and
(J)  the number of reports made from each school district or open-enrollment charter school by an employee of the district or school or by a school resource officer, to the Department of Family and Protective Services regarding an alleged incident of abuse or neglect; and
(2)  study, evaluate, and make recommendations regarding the mental health services described by Section 38.302(1), the training described by Section 38.302(2), and the impact of those mental health services, as described by Section 38.302(3), including addressing:
(A)  the outcomes and the effectiveness of the services and training provided, including the outcomes and effectiveness of the service and training providers and the programs under which services and training are provided, in:
(i)  improving student academic achievement and attendance;
(ii)  reducing student disciplinary proceedings, suspensions, placements in a disciplinary alternative education program, and expulsions; and
(iii)  delivering prevention and intervention services to promote early mental health skills, including:
(a)  building skills relating to managing emotions, establishing and maintaining positive relationships, and making responsible decisions;
(b)  preventing substance abuse;
(c)  preventing suicides;
(d)  adhering to the purpose of the relevant program services or training;
(e)  promoting trauma-informed practices;
(f)  promoting a positive school climate, as defined by Section 38.351(d), in the district or school; and
(g)  improving physical and emotional safety and well-being in the district or school and reducing violence in the district or school;
(B)  best practices for districts and schools in implementing the services or training;
(C)  disparities in the race, ethnicity, gender, special education status, and geographic location of individuals receiving the services; and
(D)  best practices to replicate the services or training for all districts and schools.
(b)  The task force may consult with relevant experts and stakeholders, including:
(1)  classroom teachers;
(2)  school counselors;
(3)  school resource officers;
(4)  school administrators;
(5)  school nurses;
(6)  licensed specialists in school psychology;
(7)  licensed professional counselors;
(8)  licensed clinical social workers; and
(9)  non-physician mental health professionals.
(c)  In consulting with relevant experts and stakeholders under Subsection (b), the task force may not disclose a student's medical or educational information.
(d)  The task force may enter into agreements with institutions of higher education or other relevant entities as needed to execute the duties of the task force.
Added by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1278 (H.B. 906), Sec. 1, eff. June 14, 2019.
Amended by:
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 692 (H.B. 2287), Sec. 5, eff. September 1, 2021.
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 915 (H.B. 3607), Sec. 5.013, eff. September 1, 2021.