HBA-EDN, CCH H.B. 767 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 767
By: Maxey
Public Health
7/17/2001
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse requires licensed chemical
dependency counselors to complete continuing education training in order to
maintain their license.  Because individuals who abuse alcohol or drugs are
susceptible to contracting HIV/AIDS and hepatitis, it is important for
substance abuse professionals to be knowledgeable about these diseases.
House Bill 767 adds training related to the prevention and treatment of
HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, and other sexually transmitted diseases to the
continuing education curriculum of chemical dependency counselors.    

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 767 amends the Occupations Code to provide that the Texas
Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (commission) include six hours of
training during each two-year licensing period relating to HIV, hepatitis
C, and sexually transmitted diseases in continuing education for chemical
dependency counselors. The bill requires the commission to recognize,
prepare, or administer a training component that prepares chemical
dependency counselors to provide appropriate information relating to the
needs of persons with positive test results, including the importance of
prevention, early intervention and treatment, and recognition of
psychosocial needs.  In developing the training, the commission is required
to consult with the Texas Department of Health (TDH) and is authorized to
consider TDH's hepatitis C training course.   

EFFECTIVE DATE

May 21, 2001.