Honorable Rodney Ellis, Chair, Senate Committee on Government Organization
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB1015 by Truitt (Relating to the continuation and functions of the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists.), As Engrossed
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Occupations Code to implement certain recommendations of the Sunset Advisory Commission and continue the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists (board) in existence until 2017. The board operates as a state agency funded primarily to ensure that Texans receive psychological services from competent, qualified practitioners.
The bill would authorize the board to issue a temporary license to an applicant seeking to practice in this state for a limited time and limited purpose, rather than to an applicant seeking a permanent license. It authorizes the board to issue this license if applicant is supervised by a person licensed by the Board under this chapter with whom the temporary license holder may consult during the time the person holds the temporary license.
The bill would retain the oral examination and require the Board to establish a work group to evaluate the oral examination for the purpose of improving the consistency of the administration and the objectivity of the examination.
The bill would authorize the board to develop a process under which the board evaluates and approves appropriate courses for the continuing education program that are developed or approved for license holders by national and state associations.
The bill would require the board to adopt a schedule of the disciplinary sanctions that the board may impose under this chapter by rule, rather than to adopt a broad schedule of sanctions for violations under this chapter. The bill would also require the board to consider taking more severe disciplinary action upon a person who is being disciplined for multiple violations of either statute, board rule, or order adopted under statutory guidelines.
Based on the analysis of the the Sunset Advisory Commission and the board, it is assumed that the duties and responsibilities associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be accomplished by utilizing existing resources.
The bill would take effect September 1, 2005.
Local Government Impact
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
116 Sunset Advisory Commission, 520 Board of Examiners of Psychologists