Guillen Bill Lets Dog Teams Count As School Security Officers

The text as introduced · 1,169 words

By: Guillen
H.B. No. 462

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the armed security officers required to be present at

public schools and the permissible uses of the school safety

allotment and the creation of a mental health allotment under the

Foundation School Program.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 37.0814(b), Education Code, is amended

to read as follows:

(b) A security officer described by Subsection (a) must be:

(1) a school district peace officer;

(2) a school resource officer; [ or ]

(3) a commissioned peace officer employed as security

personnel under Section 37.081 ; or

(4) a canine unit, as defined by Section 108.001,

Business & Commerce Code .

SECTION 2. Section 48.115, Education Code, is amended by

amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsections (a-2) and

(a-3) to read as follows:

(a) Except as provided by Subsection (a-1) and subject to

Subsection (a-2) , a school district is entitled to an annual

allotment equal to the sum of the following amounts or a greater

amount provided by appropriation:

(1) $100 [ $10 ] for each student in average daily

attendance, plus $1 for each student in average daily attendance

per every $50 by which the district's maximum basic allotment under

Section 48.051 exceeds $6,160, prorated as necessary; and

(2) $100,000 [ $15,000 ] per campus.

(a-2) To be eligible to receive an allotment under this

section, a school district must ensure that:

(1) at least one security officer described by Section

37.0814(b) armed with a firearm is present at each district campus

during regular school hours; and

(2) at least one school marshal or security officer

described by Section 37.0814(b) who has received training

comparable to the training required for a school marshal under

Section 1701.260(c), Occupations Code, and is armed with a firearm

is appointed, assigned, or employed by the district for every 200

students enrolled at the district.

(a-3) Requirements under subsection (a-2)(2) can also be

met via at least one remote-human-operated aerial device described

by Article 2.33(a)(1), Code of Criminal Procedure, deployed or

contracted by the district at each district campus providing less

lethal interdiction capability by means of air-based irritant

delivery or other mechanisms for every 200 students enrolled at the

district.

(b) Funds allocated under this section must be used to

improve school safety and security, including costs associated

with:

(1) securing school facilities in accordance with the

requirements of Section 37.351, including:

(A) improvements to school infrastructure;

(B) the use or installation of perimeter security

fencing conducive to a public school learning environment or

physical barriers, which may not include razor wire;

(C) exterior door and window safety and security

upgrades, including exterior door numbering and locking systems and

security film that provides resistance to a forced entry; and

(D) the purchase and maintenance of:

(i) security cameras and, if the district

has already installed security cameras, other security equipment,

including video surveillance as provided by Section 29.022; and

(ii) technology, including communications

systems or devices, such as silent panic alert devices, two-way

radios, or wireless Internet booster equipment, that facilitates

communication and information sharing between students, school

personnel, and first responders in an emergency;

(2) providing security for the district, including:

(A) employing school district peace officers,

private security officers, and school marshals; and

(B) collaborating with local law enforcement

agencies, such as entering into a memorandum of understanding for

the assignment of school resource officers to schools in the

district;

(3) school safety and security measures, including:

(A) active shooter and emergency response

training;

(B) prevention and treatment programs relating

to addressing adverse childhood experiences; and

(C) the prevention, identification, and

management of emergencies and threats, using evidence-based,

effective prevention practices and including the establishment of

[ :

(i) providing licensed counselors, social

workers, chaplains, and individuals trained in restorative

discipline and restorative justice practices;

(ii) providing mental health personnel and

support, including chaplains;

(iii) providing behavioral health

services, including services provided by chaplains;

(iv) ] threat reporting systems;[ and

(v) developing and implementing programs

focused on restorative justice practices, culturally relevant

instruction, and providing mental health support, including

support provided by chaplains; ]

[ (4) providing programs related to suicide prevention,

intervention, and postvention, including programs provided by

chaplains; ] and

(4) [ (5) ] employing a school safety director and other

personnel to manage and monitor school safety initiatives and the

implementation of school safety requirements for the district.

SECTION 3. Subchapter C, Chapter 48, Education Code, is

amended by adding Section 48.117 to read as follows:

Sec. 48.117. MENTAL HEALTH ALLOTMENT. (a) A school

district is entitled to an annual allotment of $100,000 or a greater

amount provided by appropriation to support mental health services

at the district.

(b) In addition to the allotment under Subsection (a), a

school district that receives an allotment under Section 48.101 or

at which more than 50 percent of enrolled students are

educationally disadvantaged is entitled to an allotment for each

student enrolled in the district in an amount provided by

appropriation.

(c) Funds allocated under this section:

(1) must be used to develop or enhance a comprehensive

school mental health system that, through the implementation of

programs, practices, and procedures in accordance with Section

38.351, provides a tiered array of supports and services in the

educational setting, including support provided by chaplains, that

contribute to:

(A) a positive school climate;

(B) the development of skills related to managing

emotions, establishing and maintaining positive relationships, and

responsible decision-making;

(C) the learning and well-being of students with

or at risk of mental health or substance use conditions;

(D) family and community engagement;

(E) reduced exclusionary discipline practices;

and

(F) staff wellness; and

(2) may be used to pay for costs associated with:

(A) the salary of school personnel, including

chaplains, responsible for planning, coordinating, delivering, or

monitoring supports and services described by Subdivision (1);

(B) training school personnel regarding

effective practices and district and campus procedures to support

student mental health;

(C) a contract-based collaborative effort or

partnership with one or more local community programs, agencies, or

providers, including programs provided by chaplains; and

(D) developing and implementing programs focused

on restorative justice practices, including programs provided by

chaplains.

(d) Funds allocated for purposes of this section may not be

used to supplant any other funds that may be provided for the same

purpose.

(e) Not later than June 1 of each year and in accordance with

commissioner rule, each school district shall submit to the

commissioner information regarding the outcomes and expenditures

related to funds allocated to the district under this section.

(f) Not later than September 1 of each year, the

commissioner shall publish a report regarding the use of funds

allocated under this section during the preceding school year,

including information regarding the programs, personnel, and

resources implemented, employed, or purchased by school districts

using the funds and other purposes for which the funds were used.

SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.