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.