TEXAS: Gov. Abbott signs bill to expand school mental health services; school-based clinics

June 12, 2019, Bay City (TX) Tribune: Governor signs school safety, mental health bill http://baycitytribune.com/community/article_c10c54b0-8d19-11e9-a672-07ac68c0d7f1.html Gov. Greg Abbott on June 6 signed three bills into law to improve school safety and expand access to mental health resources. … “Today, I am proud to sign legislation to make Texas schools safer for students and teachers. I thank members from both chambers, as well as the many stakeholders, who worked tirelessly to get these bills through the Legislature and to my desk today.”… —House Bill 18 by House Calendars Committee Chair Walter “Four” Price IV, R-Amarillo, and sponsored by Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, increases mental health training for educators and other school professionals to aid in early identification and intervention; emphasizes importance of mental health education for students; and improves access to mental and behavioral health services through school-based mental health centers and the hiring of mental health professionals….