BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1924

By: Coleman

Public Health

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

In order to become a licensed psychologist, an individual must, in addition to other requirements, complete a pre-doctoral supervised internship. Recently enacted legislation authorized a licensed psychologist to delegate certain psychological tests or services to certain individuals who have not yet been issued a license. Interested parties contend that pre-doctoral supervised internships can sometimes be difficult to obtain, particularly in private practice settings, and that it would be beneficial for a pre-doctoral intern to be included among the individuals to whom such tasks can be delegated. H.B. 1924 seeks to increase such internship opportunities. 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

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

H.B. 1924 amends the Occupations Code to include a person enrolled in a formal internship as provided by Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists rules among the persons to whom a licensed psychologist is authorized to delegate any psychological test or service that a reasonable and prudent psychologist could delegate within the scope of sound psychological judgment if the psychologist makes the requisite determinations.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2015.