88(R) SB 763 - Enrolled version - Bill Text

	S.B.  No.  763

	AN ACT
	relating to allowing public schools to employ or accept as
	volunteers chaplains.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION  1.    Subtitle D, Title 2, Education Code, is amended
	by adding Chapter 23 to read as follows:
	CHAPTER 23. SCHOOL CHAPLAINS
	Sec.  23.001.    SCHOOL CHAPLAINS.  (a)  A school district or
	open-enrollment charter school may employ or accept as a volunteer
	a chaplain to provide support, services, and programs for students
	as assigned by the board of trustees of the district or the
	governing body of the school.  A chaplain employed or volunteering
	under this chapter is not required to be certified by the State
	Board for Educator Certification.
	(b)    A school district or open-enrollment charter school
	that employs or accepts as a volunteer a chaplain under this chapter
	shall ensure that the chaplain complies with the applicable
	requirements under Subchapter C, Chapter 22, before the chaplain
	begins employment or volunteering at the district or school.
	(c)    A school district or open-enrollment charter school may
	not employ or accept as a volunteer a chaplain who has been
	convicted of or placed on deferred adjudication community
	supervision for an offense for which a defendant is required to
	register as a sex offender under Chapter 62, Code of Criminal
	Procedure.
	SECTION  2.    Section 48.115(b), Education Code, is amended to
	read as follows:
	(b)    Funds allocated under this section must be used to
	improve school safety and security, including costs associated
	with:
	(1)    securing school facilities, including:
	(A)    improvements to school infrastructure;
	(B)    the use or installation of physical barriers;
	and
	(C)    the purchase and maintenance of:
	(i)    security cameras or other security
	equipment; and
	(ii)    technology, including communications
	systems or devices, that facilitates communication and information
	sharing between students, school personnel, and first responders in
	an emergency;
	(2)    providing security for the district, including:
	(A)    employing school district peace officers,
	private security officers, and school marshals; and
	(B)    collaborating with local law enforcement
	agencies, such as entering into a memorandum of understanding for
	the assignment of school resource officers to schools in the
	district;
	(3)    school safety and security training and planning,
	including:
	(A)    active shooter and emergency response
	training;
	(B)    prevention and treatment programs relating
	to addressing adverse childhood experiences; and
	(C)    the prevention, identification, and
	management of emergencies and threats, using evidence-based,
	effective prevention practices and including:
	(i)    providing licensed counselors, social
	workers, chaplains, and individuals trained in restorative
	discipline and restorative justice practices;
	(ii)    providing mental health personnel and
	support, including chaplains;
	(iii)    providing behavioral health
	services, including services provided by chaplains;
	(iv)    establishing threat reporting
	systems; and