New bill could make some Texas students undergo mental health evaluations

AUSTIN, TX -- A new piece of legislation attempts to help students who might need mental health help.

District 114 state Rep. Jason Villalba, R-Dallas, filed House Bill 985, which would force students who pose a risk to undergo mental health evaluations to remain in the general student population.

HB 985 says that if any educator in a school district hears "about conduct of a student or a statement made by the student that would cause a reasonable person to believe the student intends or is likely to commit sexual violence against another or ... serious bodily injury to self or others," the school counselor must be notified.

"At a minimum, let's get (the students who exhibit troubling behavior) screened for mental health issues," Villalba said Tuesday. "This could have picked up the Columbine killers or even Adam Lanza."

Read more from The Courier of Mongtomery County, a Houston Community Newspaper partner