SRC-DPW H.B. 1643 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 1643
76R4181 MXM-DBy: Chavez (Nelson)
Health Services
4/23/1999
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas law does not have a licensing procedure for professional
therapists who perform music therapy, which is used in the treatment of
mental illness.  This bill would create an additional exception to the
regulation of certain therapists under the Licensed Professional Counselor
Act. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 1643 creates an additional exception to the regulation of
certain therapists under 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 3(a), Article 4512g, V.T.C.S. (Licensed
Professional Counselor Act), to provide that this Act does not apply to the
activities, services, titles, and descriptions of persons who are certified
by the Certification Board for Music Therapists or listed with the National
Music Therapy Registry, who perform music therapy service consistent with
the law of this state, their training, and code of ethics of their
profession, and who do not engage in the use of psychotherapy or use the
title of or hold themselves out to be licensed counselors. 

SECTION 2.Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.