SB2464 - Relating to the establishment of a school safety and mental health grant program.

  89R16128 AMF-D     By: Menéndez S.B. No. 2464       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the establishment of a school safety and mental health   grant program.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 38, Education Code, is   amended by adding Section 38.041 to read as follows:           Sec.   38.041.     SCHOOL SAFETY AND MENTAL HEALTH GRANT PROGRAM.   (a) The agency shall establish and administer a grant program to   provide financial assistance to school districts and   open-enrollment charter schools for the purpose of implementing a   school safety and mental health program that:                 (1)     facilitates partnerships between school districts   or open-enrollment charter schools and the following entities to   provide support to district or school employees in managing the   prevention and early identification of student mental health   issues:                       (A)  nonprofit organizations; and                       (B)     recognized fusion centers, as defined by   Section 421.001, Government Code, operating in the district's or   school's region;                   (2)     uses a socio-emotional wellness coach or   psychological safety officer to provide support for teachers,   administrators, support staff, and other employees or contractors   who work directly with students in a school district or   open-enrollment charter school; and                 (3)     provides an interactive online platform of   psychological safety information and resources for use by district   or school employees.             (b)     The agency shall award a grant to each eligible school   district or open-enrollment charter school that applies for the   grant using money appropriated or otherwise available for that   purpose. The amount of a grant awarded to each eligible school   district or open-enrollment charter school under the grant program   may not exceed $100,000.           (c)     The agency may adopt rules to administer the grant   program established under this section, including rules that   establish:                   (1)  eligibility criteria for grant applications;                   (2)  grant application procedures;                   (3)  guidelines related to grant amounts;                   (4)  procedures for evaluating grant applications; and                   (5)     procedures for monitoring the use of a grant   awarded under the program and ensuring compliance with any   condition of the grant.            SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.