1. Texas Legislative Update
2017 was all about bathrooms……

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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)

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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