By: Allison H.B. No. 4845
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to bullying prevention in public schools, including the
  establishment of a bullying prevention program.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter C, Chapter 37, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Sections 37.0833 to read as follows:
         Sec. 37.0833.  BULLYING PREVENTION PILOT PROGRAM. (a) In
  this section, "bullying" has the meaning assigned by Section
  37.0832.
         (b)  The commissioner shall establish and administer a
  bullying prevention pilot program to help reduce incidents of
  bullying in public schools.
         (c)  In establishing the bullying prevention program under
  Subsection (b), the commissioner may collaborate with:
               (1)  qualified experts and researchers in the areas of
  child and youth wellbeing, mental health, and education; and
               (2)  other appropriate stakeholders.
         (d)  Using funds appropriated for that purpose, the
  commissioner shall establish and administer a grant program under
  which a school district that demonstrates a substantial need for
  bullying prevention may receive a grant to implement the bullying
  prevention pilot program at no more than three campuses within the
  district.
         (e)  The commissioner shall establish application criteria
  for receipt of a grant under this section.
         (f)  The commissioner shall establish allowable uses of
  grant funds under this section.
         (g)  The agency shall use funds allocated for the grant
  program under this section to provide technical assistance to grant
  recipients under this section, including through regional
  education service centers.
         (h)  The commissioner shall adopt rules to implement this
  section.
         (i)  The commissioner may use funds otherwise available,
  including funds provided through grants or donations sought and
  accepted by the agency, to implement this section. If funds are not
  appropriated to implement this section, the commissioner is not
  required to implement the provisions of this section.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.