A new rule requiring mental health training for district employees is in effect as of December 2, 2024.
The rule, 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) § 153.1015, mandates that all district employees who work directly with students complete mental health training before the start of the 2028-2029 school year. The rule implements requirements of Texas Education Code § 22.904 established by House Bill 3 during the 88th Regular Session of the Texas Legislature (2023). The focus of the training is recognition and support of students who experience a mental health or substance use issue that may pose a threat to school safety.
District staff subject to the requirement includes, but is not limited to, teachers, coaches, librarians, instructional coaches, counselors, nurses, administration, administrative support personnel, student support personnel, school resource officers, paraprofessionals, substitutes, custodians, cafeteria staff, bus drivers, crossing guards, and district special programs liaisons.
Districts may phase in the training over the next four years. The implementation timeline is as follows:
- At least 25 percent of the applicable school district employees shall be trained before the start of the 2025-2026 school year.
- At least 50 percent of the applicable school district employees trained before the start of the 2026-2027 school year.
- At least 75 percent of the applicable school district employees shall be trained before the start of the 2027-2028 school year.
- All applicable school district employees shall be trained before the start of the 2028-2029 school year.