77R8686 SMJ-D                           
         By Christian, Wohlgemuth, et al.                       H.B. No. 976
         Substitute the following for H.B. No. 976:
         By Maxey                                           C.S.H.B. No. 976
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to the definition of non-physician mental health
 1-3     professional for purposes of a proceeding or evaluation under the
 1-4     Texas Mental Health Code.
 1-5           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-6           SECTION 1. Section 571.003(15), Health and Safety Code, is
 1-7     amended to read as follows:
 1-8                 (15)  "Non-physician mental health professional" means:
 1-9                       (A)  a psychologist licensed to practice in this
1-10     state and designated as a health-service provider;
1-11                       (B)  a registered nurse with a master's or
1-12     doctoral degree in psychiatric nursing; [or]
1-13                       (C)  a licensed [certified] social worker with a
1-14     master's or doctoral degree and advanced clinical practitioner
1-15     recognition;
1-16                       (D)  a licensed professional counselor licensed
1-17     to practice in this state; or
1-18                       (E)  a licensed marriage and family therapist
1-19     licensed to practice in this state.
1-20           SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
1-21     a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
1-22     provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
1-23     Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
1-24     Act takes effect September 1, 2001.