By: Bernal H.B. No. 353       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the assignment of certain behavioral health   professionals to certain public schools.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter Z, Chapter 33, Education Code, is   amended by adding Section 33.910 to read as follows:          Sec. 33.910.  BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL. (a) In this   section, "behavioral health professional" means:                (1)  a licensed specialist in school psychology   licensed under Chapter 501, Occupations Code;                (2)  a licensed professional counselor licensed under   Chapter 503, Occupations Code;                (3)  a licensed clinical social worker licensed under   Chapter 505, Occupations Code; or                (4)  a school counselor with an appropriate certificate   or permit issued under Subchapter B, Chapter 21.          (b)  A school district shall assign at least one behavioral   health professional to each campus in the district in which 50   percent or more of the students in average daily attendance at the   campus are educationally disadvantaged, homeless as defined by 42   U.S.C. Section 11302, or in the conservatorship of the Department   of Family and Protective Services.            (c)  A school district may not require a behavioral health   professional assigned under this section to administer assessment   instruments or provide other assistance in connection with   assessment instruments.          SECTION 2.  Subchapter E, Chapter 42, Education Code, is   amended by adding Section 42.2519 to read as follows:          Sec. 42.2519.  ADDITIONAL STATE AID FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH   PROFESSIONALS. (a) For each school year, from funds that may be   used for the purpose, a school district is entitled to state aid in   an amount, as determined by the commissioner, sufficient to assist   the district in employing the number of behavioral health   professionals required by Section 33.910.          (b)  The commissioner shall adopt rules as necessary to   administer this section.          SECTION 3.  This Act applies beginning with the 2018-2019   school year.          SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.