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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the practice of psychology by persons employed by a |
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governmental agency. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 501.004(a), Occupations Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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(a) This chapter does not apply to: |
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(1) the activity or service of a person, or the use of |
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an official title by the person, who is employed as a psychologist |
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or psychological associate by a [governmental agency or] regionally |
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accredited institution of higher education if the person performs |
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duties the person is employed by the [agency or] institution to |
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perform within the confines of the [agency or] institution; |
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(2) the activity or service of a student, intern, or |
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resident in psychology if: |
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(A) the person is pursuing a course of study to |
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prepare for the profession of psychology under qualified |
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supervision in a recognized training institution or facility; |
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(B) the activity or service is part of the |
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person's supervised course of study; and |
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(C) the person is designated as a "psychological |
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intern," as a "psychological trainee," or by another title that |
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clearly indicates the person's training status; |
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(3) the activity or service of a licensed |
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professional, other than a person licensed under this chapter, if: |
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(A) the activity or service is permitted under |
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the person's license; and |
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(B) the person does not represent that the person |
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is a psychologist or describe the service provided by using the term |
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"psychological"; |
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(4) the activity or service of a recognized member of |
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the clergy who is acting within the person's ministerial |
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capabilities if the person does not: |
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(A) represent that the person is a psychologist; |
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or |
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(B) describe the service provided by using the |
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term "psychological"; [or] |
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(5) the voluntary activity or service of a person |
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employed by or working on behalf of a charitable nonprofit |
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organization if the person does not: |
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(A) represent that the person is a psychologist; |
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or |
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(B) describe the service provided by using the |
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term "psychological"; or |
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(6) the activity or service of a person who is employed |
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by a governmental agency if the person: |
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(A) performs duties the person is employed by the |
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agency to perform within the confines of the agency; and |
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(B) does not represent that the person is a |
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psychologist.["] |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |