HBA-DMH C.S.H.B. 976 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisC.S.H.B. 976
By: Christian
Public Health
3/20/2001
Committee Report (Substituted)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Under current law, certain psychologists, psychiatric nurses, and social
workers are included in the definition of "non-physician mental health
professional."  The licensed professional counselor (LPC) and licensed
marriage and family therapist (LMFT) licenses require education and
training similar to that required of non-physician mental health
professionals. The state also recognizes LPCs and LMFTs as qualified mental
health providers and affords them direct reimbursement from insurance
companies and Medicaid.  Yet, because LPCs and LMFTs are not considered
non-physician mental health professionals they tend to have a limited role
in or be hired less frequently by mental health and mental retardation
facilities.  C.S.H.B. 976 includes LPCs and LMFTs in the definition of
"non-physician mental health professional" for the purposes of the Texas
Mental Health Code. 

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

C.S.H.B. 976 amends the Health and Safety Code to add a licensed
professional counselor and a licensed marriage and family therapist to the
definition of "non-physician mental health professional" for the purposes
of the Texas Mental Health Code. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2001. 

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 976 differs from the original bill by adding a licensed marriage
and family therapist to the definition of "non-physician mental health
professional."