CLC H.B. 1061 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS

HUMAN SERVICES
H.B. 1061
By: Berlanga
4-16-97
Committee Report (Amended)

BACKGROUND

In 1993, the Texas Legislature enacted a law requiring all mental health
therapists to be licensed, establishing specific requirements.  The
requirements do not include any training in the field of rehabilitation.
National Commissions have long been established to certify Rehabilitation
Counselors and Vocational Evaluators. 

PURPOSE

H.B. 1061 exempts persons certified by the Commission on Rehabilitation
Counselor Certification and the Commission on Certification of Work
Adjustment and Vocational Evaluation Specialists from the licensing
requirements of the Licensed Professional Counselor Act. 

RULE MAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency or
institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.Section 3(a), Licensed Professional Counselor Act (Article
4512g, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes) is amended by adding the following: 

 (7)exempts - Certified Rehabilitation Counselors and Certified Vocational
Evaluation Specialists. 

(8)Renumbered from (7).

SECTION 2. Emergency Clause.


EXPLANATION OF AMENDMENTS

Adds to the provision of the bill to exempt Certified Rehabilitation
Counselors and Certified Vocational Evaluation Specialists "performing
counseling consistent with the law of the state, their training, any code
of ethics of their profession and who do not use the title or hold
themselves out to be licensed counselors."