By: Rodríguez S.B. No. 1624
      Menéndez, Zaffirini
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to a requirement that certain entering students at a
  general academic teaching institution receive information
  regarding mental health and suicide prevention services.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 51.9194 to read as follows:
         Sec. 51.9194.  REQUIRED INFORMATION FOR ENTERING STUDENTS
  REGARDING MENTAL HEALTH AND SUICIDE PREVENTION SERVICES.  (a)  A
  general academic teaching institution shall provide to each
  entering full-time undergraduate, graduate, or professional
  student, including each full-time undergraduate, graduate, or
  professional student who transfers to the institution, information
  about:
               (1)  available mental health and suicide prevention
  services offered by the institution or by any associated
  organizations or programs; and
               (2)  early warning signs that are often present in and
  appropriate intervention for a person who may be considering
  suicide.
         (b)  The information required under this section:
               (1)  may be provided through:
                     (A)  a live presentation; or
                     (B)  a format that allows for student interaction,
  such as an online program or video, and that lasts not more than 15
  minutes; and
               (2)  may not be provided in a paper format only.
         SECTION 2.  Section 51.9194, Education Code, as added by
  this Act, applies to full-time entering students who are admitted
  to an undergraduate, graduate, or professional degree program at a
  general academic teaching institution beginning with the 2016 fall
  semester.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2015.