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."