BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 646

By: Patrick, Diane

Public Health

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The nine-member Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists is responsible for regulating the practice of psychology in this state and comprises licensed psychologists, psychological associates, and public members. While licensed specialists in school psychology, or school psychologists, are under the purview of the board, state law does not require that any member of the board be a school psychologist. C.S.H.B. 646 seeks to ensure that licensed specialists in school psychology are represented on the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 646 amends the Occupations Code to require that one of the psychologists or one of the psychological associates appointed to the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists practice as a licensed specialist in school psychology. The bill specifies that this requirement does not affect the entitlement of a member serving on the board immediately before the bill takes effect to serve for the remainder of the member's term and requires the governor, as the terms of board members expire, to appoint or reappoint a member who meets the bill's requirement.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2013.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

While C.S.H.B. 646 may differ from the original in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following comparison is organized and highlighted in a manner that indicates the substantial differences between the introduced and committee substitute versions of the bill.

INTRODUCED	HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SECTION 1.  Section 501.051, Occupations Code, is amended by adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows: (a-1)  One of the members appointed under Subsections (a)(1) and (a)(2) must practice as a licensed specialist in school psychology under Section 501.260.	SECTION 1.  Section 501.051, Occupations Code, is amended by adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows: (a-1)  One of the members appointed under Subsection (a)(1) or (a)(2) must practice as a licensed specialist in school psychology under Section 501.260.
SECTION 2.  The changes in law made by this Act in the qualifications of members of the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists do not affect the entitlement of a member serving on the board immediately before the effective date of this Act to continue to serve for the remainder of the member's term.  As the terms of board members expire, the governor shall appoint or reappoint a member who has the qualifications required for a member under Section 501.051(a-1), Occupations Code, as added by this Act.	SECTION 2. Same as introduced version.
SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2013.	SECTION 3. Same as introduced version.