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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the provision of information regarding mental health |
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and suicide prevention services to entering students at public |
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institutions of higher education. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 51.9194, Education Code, is amended by |
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amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1) to read as |
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follows: |
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(a) An institution of higher education [A general academic |
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teaching institution] shall provide to each entering [full-time] |
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undergraduate, graduate, or professional student, including each |
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[full-time] undergraduate, graduate, or professional student who |
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transfers to the institution, information about: |
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(1) available mental health and suicide prevention |
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services offered by the institution or by any associated |
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organizations or programs; and |
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(2) early warning signs that are often present in and |
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appropriate intervention for a person who may be considering |
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suicide. |
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(a-1) In this section, "institution of higher education" |
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has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003. |
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SECTION 2. Section 51.9194, Education Code, as amended by |
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this Act, applies beginning with the 2023-2024 academic 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, 2023. |