SRC-JFA S.B. 915 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 915
By: Barrientos
Health & Human Services
5-19-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, under Article 4512g, V.T.C.S., the Licensed Professional
Counselor Act, a qualified applicant is a person who, among other
qualifications, has completed 24 months or 2,000 hours of supervised
experience working in a counseling setting that meets the requirements
established by the Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors.
Increasing the required number of supervised hours by a 1,000 would bring
Texas more in line with the number of hours required in other states,
provide parity with other disciplines, increase opportunities for
counselors to be considered for thirdparty payments, and offer increased
protection for the public.  This bill would amend this specific
qualification for an applicant for a license to provide that such a person
is qualified if the person has completed 36 months or 3,000 hours of
certain supervised experience working in a counseling setting.  

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 915 amends certain qualifications for an applicant for a
license as a professional counselor under Article 4512g, V.T.C.S., the
Licensed Professional Counselor Act.   

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 10, Article 4512g, V.T.C.S. (Licensed
Professional Counselor Act), to provide that a person is a qualified
applicant for a license as a professional counselor if the person, among
other qualifications, has completed 36, rather than 24, months, or 3,000,
rather than 2,000, hours of supervised experience working in a counseling
setting that meets the requirements established by the Board of Examiners
of Professional Counselors after the completion of the 48 graduate
semester hour or equivalent graduate program.  Makes conforming changes. 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1997.
  Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.