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


Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 684
77R8686 SMJ-DBy: Madla
Health & Human Services
3/16/2001
Committee Report (Substituted)


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 professional counselors or licensed family and
marriage therapists, but C.S.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.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

Differs from original by adding a licensed professional counselor licensed
to practice in this state to the definition of a "non-physician mental
health professional."