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.