SRC-DBM S.B. 413 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 413 76R4609 JMM-DBy: Madla Health Services 2/19/1999 As Filed DIGEST Currently, marriage and family therapists are required by law to receive 2000 hours of "supervised clinical practice" after receiving their graduate degree in order to qualify for a license. However, many HMOs require 3000 supervised clinical hours for counselors to qualify to be included on their provider panels. This limits a marriage and family therapist's ability to be selected as a provider for insurance plans. S.B. 413 will require marriage and family therapists to complete 3000 supervised clinical practice hours to qualify for a license as a marriage and family therapist. S.B. will also create a licensing designation for a marriage and family therapist "associate." PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 413 regulates the practice of marriage and family practice. 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 2, Article 4512c-1, V.T.C.S., (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Act), by amending Subdivision (6) to define a "licensed marriage and family therapist associate" as a licensed individual who provides marriage and family therapy for compensation. SECTION 2. Amends Section 15(b), Article 4512c-1, V.T.C.S., to prohibit an unlicensed person from using the title "licensed marriage and family therapist" or "licensed marriage and family therapist associate." SECTION 3. Amends Section 17, Article 4512c-1,V.T.C.S., to require a license applicant to file a written application and pay an appropriate application fee. Requires an eligible person who has an appropriate degree to have two years work experience which includes 3000 hours of clinical practice comprised of at least 1500 hours of direct clinical services to individuals, couples, or families and at least 750 hours of direct clinical services to couples or families. Requires a marriage and family therapist associate or marriage and family therapist license applicant to pass an examination determined by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists (board) or be exempted. Makes a conforming change. SECTION 4. Amends Section 18, Article 4512c-1, V.T.C.S., to set forth the application review requirements regarding the investigation of each application and other information submitted. Makes conforming changes. SECTION 5. Amends Section 20(a), Article 4512c-1, V.T.C.S., to require the board to issue marriage and family therapist or marriage and family therapist associate licenses as appropriate. SECTION 6. Effective date: September 1, 1999. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 7. Emergency clause.