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78R3856 YDB-D

By:  Zaffirini                                                    S.B. No. 333



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a chemical dependency counselor or counselor intern.              
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 504.057, Occupations Code, is amended to 
read as follows:
	Sec. 504.057.  [CRIMINAL HISTORY INFORMATION FOR] COUNSELOR 
INTERNS.  (a)  The commission by rule shall establish eligibility 
requirements for registration as a counselor intern under this 
chapter.
	(b)  The commission may obtain criminal history record 
information relating to a counselor intern or an applicant for 
registration as a counselor intern [a person described by Section 
504.002(b)(2)] from the Department of Public Safety and the Federal 
Bureau of Investigation.
	(c) [(b)]  The commission may adopt rules as necessary to 
implement the commission's authority under this section, including 
rules that restrict the ability of a counselor intern [person 
described by Section 504.002(b)(2)] to engage in chemical 
dependency counseling if the person has been convicted or placed on 
community supervision for an offense described by Section 
504.1525(a)(1) or (2).
	SECTION 2.  Section 504.152, Occupations Code, is amended to 
read as follows:
	Sec. 504.152.  ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS.  To be eligible 
for a license under this chapter, a person must:
		(1)  be at least 18 years of age;                                             
		(2)  hold an associate degree or a more advanced degree 
[have a high school diploma or its equivalent];
		(3)  have completed:                                                          
			(A)  an appropriate course of study approved by 
the commission, which may be included in the course work completed 
in connection with the person's degree [270 classroom hours of 
approved curricula]; and
			(B)  4,000 hours of approved supervised 
experience working with chemically dependent persons[; and]
			[(C)  300 hours of approved supervised field work 
practicum];
		(4)  provide two letters of reference from chemical 
dependency counselors;  
		(5)  pass a written examination approved by the 
commission;                 
		(6)  submit a case presentation to the test 
administrator;                  
		(7)  pass an oral examination approved by the 
commission;                   
		(8)  be determined by the commission to be worthy of the 
public trust and confidence;
		(9)  successfully complete the chemical dependency 
counselor examination under Section 504.156; and
		(10)  sign a written agreement to comply with the 
standards of ethics approved by the commission.
	SECTION 3.  Section 504.153(a), Occupations Code, is amended 
to read as follows:
	(a)  An applicant is exempt from the requirement of Section
[requirements of Sections] 504.152(3)(A) [and (C)] if the applicant 
holds a baccalaureate degree or a more advanced degree in:
		(1)  chemical dependency counseling;  or                                      
		(2)  psychology, sociology, or any other related 
program approved by the commission.
	SECTION 4.  Not later than March 1, 2004, the Texas 
Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse shall:
		(1)  by rule establish the counselor intern eligibility 
requirements under Section 504.057, Occupations Code, as amended by 
this Act; and
		(2)  adopt the rules required by Section 504.152, 
Occupations Code, as amended by this Act.
	SECTION 5.  (a)  A person who holds a license as a chemical 
dependency counselor before the effective date of this Act may 
continue to renew that license without complying with the changes 
in law made by this Act.
	(b)  Except as provided by Subsection (c) of this section, 
the changes in law made by this Act apply only to an initial 
application made to the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse 
for a chemical dependency counseling license issued as provided by 
Chapter 504, Occupations Code, as amended by this Act, on or after 
the effective date of this Act.  An application for a chemical 
dependency counseling license made to the Texas Commission on 
Alcohol and Drug Abuse before the effective date of this Act is 
governed by the law as it existed before that date, and that law is 
continued in effect for that purpose.
	(c)  The changes in law made by this Act do not apply to a 
person who has completed the requirements for intern registration 
and submitted an application for registration as a counselor intern 
as described by Section 504.057(a), Occupations Code, as amended by 
this Act, with the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse before 
the effective date of this Act.
	SECTION 6.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2004, except 
that Sections 1 and 4 take effect September 1, 2003.