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Bill

SB 1871

Relating to discipline management and access to telehealth mental health services in public schools.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Paul Bettencourt and 8 co-sponsors

Texas bill modifies school discipline policies while expanding telehealth mental health services access in public schools to address student behavioral and mental health needs.

Referred to Public Education
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Bill Summary · SB 1871

Legislative bill overview

SB 1871 modifies how Texas public schools manage student discipline and expands access to telehealth mental health services within school settings. The bill appears to link these two areas—potentially conditioning discipline approaches on availability of mental health support or creating new frameworks for delivering remote behavioral health services to students.

Why is this important

Mental health crises among students have increased significantly, and many schools lack adequate counseling staff. This bill addresses both the discipline side (how schools respond to behavioral issues) and the prevention/intervention side (providing mental health support), which could reduce suspensions/expulsions while connecting struggling students to care. However, the specific mechanisms matter greatly for actual implementation and effectiveness.

Potential points of contention

  • School resource constraints: Telehealth infrastructure requires technology, trained facilitators, and billing expertise; rural and under-resourced districts may struggle with implementation
  • Discipline vs. treatment philosophy: Unclear how the bill balances accountability/consequences with therapeutic approaches—schools may worry about appearing "soft on discipline"
  • Privacy and liability: Remote mental health services raise questions about confidentiality, parental consent, liability for crisis situations, and coordination with community providers

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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