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


Senate Research Center   S.B. 684
77R5572 SMJ-DBy: Madla
Health & Human Services
2/22/2001
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, 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 "nonphysician" does
not include licensed family and marriage therapists, but S.B. 684 adds such
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.  This bill also
allows courts to consider the testimony of a non-physician mental health
professional in addition to medical or psychiatric testimony as provided by
Sections 574.031 and 574.034 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.