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.