Schools Get Up To $100K To Work With Fusion Centers

The text as introduced · 337 words

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.