Texas Legislative Update 2017 was all about bathrooms……

Legislative Update 2019 is all about education funding Proposed: $9.2 billion “new money” for general education funding AND $2.0 billion in additional one-time education funding About 30 days left in session

But….. Don’t forget Hurricane Harvey--$125 Billion in damages Over 500 bills related to the impact of Harvey Insurance reform Taxation of damaged buildings Paying for debris removal and landfill Property tax funded entities in damaged areas School assessments in damaged areas

2019 Texas Legislative Update: Early Education (only bills assigned a committee are included) HB3738 and HB3739 (Goldman) HB941 State website with searchable data base of licensed, quality child-care, Pre-K, Head Start and Early Head Start; and that all child care programs should be rated (hearing on 4-9) HB12 ECI doesn’t require pre-authorization (hearing on 4-9)

2019 Texas Legislative Update: Education (only bills assigned a committee are included) HB18, 1069, 2994, 2997 Mental health and suicide prevention training for school employees HB 204, HB 3411 Adds mental health component to health curriculum in all grades HB 198, 1335 Adds mental/behavioral health services to those provided at school based clinics and HB 1312, SB 344 makes them reimbursable by Medicaid. SB11 Promoting mental health in schools (funded, left pending on 3-6) SB142, and 2074 Counselors in schools funded, and they cannot be involved in disciplinary action; and SB 426 regulates school counselor time must be 80% of time counseling, not administering assessments None are out of their respective chambers.

2019 Texas Legislative Update: Education HB 17 and HB 1754 School safety allotment, $50 per student, flexible spending requirements HB 3 and HB 21; SB 3 Public Education school funding formulas HB3 and SB3 passed respective chambers Conference committee will work out differences House, Senate, and Governor have agreed upon the $9.2 billion in “new” funding amount – difference is how that money will be spent. HB 3 and SB 3 are both out of their respective chambers

2019 Texas Legislative Update: Other HB101: Criminal offense to give false caller ID SB1939: Can store grapes in public warehouse HB1631 and others: No more red-light cameras SB86: Can keep 6 chickens or less anywhere (no roosters) At least 7 bills in both houses addressing marijuana legalization at various levels And don’t forget Hurricane Harvey: $125 Billion in damages

Thank you for your support! As of April 29, 2019 Director of the Office of Child and Family Services for the State of Maine Augusta, Maine