House Bill No. 462 aims to enhance school safety in Texas by mandating the presence of armed security officers at public schools and establishing a mental health allotment under the Foundation School Program. The bill amends Section 37.0814(b) of the Education Code to specify that security officers can include school district peace officers, school resource officers, commissioned peace officers, or canine units. Additionally, it modifies Section 48.115 to increase the annual safety allotment to $100 per student and $100,000 per campus, contingent upon the presence of at least one armed security officer at each campus during school hours and the appointment of trained school marshals or security officers based on student enrollment.

Furthermore, the bill introduces a new Section 48.117, which provides an annual mental health allotment of $100,000 for school districts to support mental health services. This funding is intended to develop comprehensive mental health systems within schools, focusing on creating a positive school climate and supporting students with mental health or substance use conditions. The bill outlines specific uses for these funds, including personnel salaries, training, and partnerships with local community programs, while ensuring that the funds are not used to replace existing funding for similar purposes. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 37.0814, Education Code 48.115 (Education Code 37, Education Code 48)