SRC-MKV S.B. 684 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 684
By: Madla
Health & Human Services
6/15/2001
Enrolled


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

The Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation contracts with
providers through local mental health authorities to provide mental health
services, and providers are divided into categories of physician and
non-physician.  The current definition of "non-physician" does not include
licensed professional counselors or licensed family and marriage
therapists.  S.B. 684 adds such counselors and therapists to the definition
to allow them to conduct an independent psychiatric, psychological, or
medical examination by non-physicians as provided by Section 576.026 of the
Health and Safety Code. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a
state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 571.003(15), Health and Safety Code, to redefine
"non-physician mental health professional." 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.