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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the responsibilities of public school social workers. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 33, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 33.905 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 33.905. SOCIAL WORKERS. (a) The primary |
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responsibility of a school social worker is to provide social |
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services to students and families in a school or district that |
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promote and enhance the overall academic mission, alleviate |
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barriers to learning, and strengthen partnerships between |
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students' families, the community, and the school. |
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(b) In addition to a school social worker's responsibility |
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under Subsection (a), the social worker shall: |
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(1) assess and counsel students and families |
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individually, in groups, or during home visits to improve |
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communication between teachers, parents, and students and enable |
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improved academic performance; |
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(2) provide crisis prevention and intervention |
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services and staff consultation, as needed; |
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(3) develop strategies and conduct workshops for |
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parents, teachers, and students on disciplinary, safety, |
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instructional, and behavioral issues, including dropout and |
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suicide prevention and bullying; |
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(4) mobilize, coordinate, and expand community |
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resources to address academic, behavioral, emotional, and social |
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needs of students and families; and |
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(5) serve on committees, as needed. |
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SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2013-2014 |
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school year. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |