A non-physician mental health professional employed under Section 8.152 must support the regional education service center and school district personnel, but may not treat students, provide counseling to students, or give specific advice about a student to school district personnel.
Sec. 8.155. DUTIES OF NON-PHYSICIAN MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL. (a) A non-physician mental health professional employed under Section 8.152 shall, to the greatest extent possible, work collaboratively with the regional education service center and shall act as a resource for the center and school district personnel by: (1) helping personnel gain awareness and a better understanding of mental health and co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders; (2) assisting personnel to implement initiatives related to mental health or substance use under state law or agency rules, interagency memorandums of understanding, and related programs; (3) ensuring personnel are aware of: (A) the list of recommended best practice-based programs and research-based practices developed under Section 38.351; (B) other public and private mental health and substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery programs available in the school district, including evidence-based programs provided by a local mental health authority and other public or private mental health providers; and (C) other available public and private mental health and substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery program resources administered by the local mental health authority or the Health and Human Services Commission to support school districts, students, and families; (4) on a monthly basis, facilitating mental health first aid training; (5) on a monthly basis, facilitating training regarding the effects of grief and trauma and providing support to children with intellectual or developmental disabilities who suffer from grief or trauma; and (6) on a monthly basis, facilitating training on prevention and intervention programs that have been shown to be effective in helping students cope with pressures to: (A) use alcohol, cigarettes, or illegal drugs; or (B) misuse prescription drugs. (b) A non-physician mental health professional employed under Section 8.152 may not treat or provide counseling to a student or provide specific advice to school district personnel regarding a student. Added by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1019 (H.B. 19), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2019. Amended by: Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 915 (H.B. 3607), Sec. 5.001, eff. September 1, 2021.