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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the establishment of a counseling certification |
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incentive program for school nurses by the Texas Education Agency. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 33, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 33.010 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 33.010. COUNSELING CERTIFICATION INCENTIVE PROGRAM. |
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(a) From funds appropriated or otherwise available for the |
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purpose, the agency shall establish and administer a program to |
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provide salary bonuses to eligible school nurses employed by school |
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districts who complete counseling certifications related to |
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addressing student mental health needs. |
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(b) The commissioner by rule shall establish eligibility |
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criteria to receive a salary bonus under this section. |
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(c) The agency may solicit and accept gifts, grants, and |
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donations from any public or private source for the purpose of this |
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section. |
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(d) The commissioner shall adopt rules to establish and |
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administer the incentive program under this section. |
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SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date |
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of this Act, the Texas Education Agency shall establish the |
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counseling certification incentive program under Section 33.010, |
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Education Code, as added by this Act. |
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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, 2023. |