89R15896 MM-D     By: Ward Johnson H.B. No. 5257       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to mental health first aid training for certain school   district volunteers.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Sections 22.904(a), (b), and (c), Education   Code, are amended to read as follows:          (a)  Except as otherwise provided by this section, a school   district shall require each district employee or volunteer who   regularly interacts with students enrolled at the district to   complete an evidence-based mental health training program designed   to provide instruction to participants regarding the recognition   and support of children and youth who experience a mental health or   substance use issue that may pose a threat to school safety.          (b)  A school district may not require a district employee or   volunteer who has previously completed mental health training   offered by a local mental health authority under Section 1001.203,   Health and Safety Code, to complete the training required by this   section.          (c)  From funds appropriated for the purpose, the agency   shall provide an allotment to each school district to assist the   district in complying with this section.  The amount of an allotment   provided to a school district under this subsection may not exceed   the costs incurred by the district for employees' or volunteers'   travel, training fees, and compensation for the time spent   completing the training required by this section.  The agency may   proportionally reduce each district's allotment if the amount   appropriated is insufficient to pay for all costs incurred by   districts under this subsection.          SECTION 2.  Section 1001.203(a), Health and Safety Code, is   amended to read as follows:          (a)  To the extent money is appropriated for the purpose, the   commission shall make grants to local mental health authorities or   local behavioral health authorities to provide at no cost an   approved mental health first aid training program administered by   mental health first aid trainers to the following individuals at   the discretion of the authorities:                (1)  school district employees and school resource   officers;                (2)  employees of:                      (A)  an institution of higher education;                      (B)  an open-enrollment charter school; or                      (C)  a private school;                (3)  employees and contractors of a child-care   facility;                (4)  youth;                (5)  individuals with direct and recurring contact with   students, including school district volunteers;                (6)  first responders;                (7)  military service members, veterans, or immediate   family members of military service members or veterans;                (8)  judges and attorneys, as applicable based on the   practice of law of the judge or attorney; or                (9)  contractors of an institution of higher education,   an open-enrollment charter school, a private school, or a school   district.          SECTION 3.  Not later than September 1, 2026, each school   district shall ensure that each district volunteer described by   Section 22.904, Education Code, as amended by this Act, has   completed an evidence-based mental health first aid training   program as required by that section.          SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.