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.