BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 20

By: Taylor, Van

State Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The Texas Medical Board, the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, the Texas State Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists, the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors, and the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners are subject to the Texas Sunset Act and will be abolished on September 1, 2017, unless continued by the legislature. S.B. 20 seeks to continue these licensing boards.

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

S.B. 20 amends the Occupations Code to postpone from September 1, 2017, to September 1, 2019, the date on which the Texas Medical Board, the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, the Texas State Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists, the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors, and the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners are abolished and certain statutory provisions relating to those boards expire unless continued in existence as provided by the Texas Sunset Act.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, the 91st day after the last day of the legislative session.