By: Price, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Hinojosa) H.B. No. 3083

(In the Senate - Received from the House May 15, 2017; May 15, 2017, read first time and referred to Committee on Higher Education; May 21, 2017, reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 5, Nays 0; May 21, 2017, sent to printer.) Click here to see the committee vote

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR H.B. No. 3083 By: Watson

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to repayment of certain mental health professional education loans.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 61.601, Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 61.601. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "mental health professional" means:

(1) a licensed physician who is:

(A) a graduate of an accredited psychiatric residency training program; or

(B) certified in psychiatry by:

(i) the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology; or

(ii) the American Osteopathic Board of Neurology and Psychiatry;

(2) a psychologist, as defined by Section 501.002, Occupations Code;

(3) a licensed professional counselor, as defined by Section 503.002, Occupations Code;

(4) an advanced practice registered nurse, as defined by Section 301.152, Occupations Code, who holds a nationally recognized board certification in psychiatric or mental health nursing; [and]

(5) a licensed clinical social worker, as defined by Section 505.002, Occupations Code; and

(6) a chemical dependency counselor, as defined by Section 504.001, Occupations Code.

SECTION 2. Section 61.604, Education Code, is amended by adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:

(d) If in a state fiscal year not all funds available for purposes of the program are used, the board may allocate any unused funds to award repayment assistance grants to mental health professionals in any of the professions listed in Section 61.601. The limitations prescribed by Subsections (b) and (c) do not apply to grants awarded under this subsection.

SECTION 3. Section 61.607(b), Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

(b) The total amount of repayment assistance received by a mental health professional under this subchapter may not exceed:

(1) $160,000, for assistance from the state received by a licensed physician;

(2) $80,000, for assistance from the state received by:

(A) a psychologist;

(B) a licensed clinical social worker, if the social worker has received a doctoral degree related to social work; or

(C) a licensed professional counselor, if the counselor has received a doctoral degree related to counseling;

(3) $60,000, for assistance from the state received by an advanced practice registered nurse; [and]

(4) $40,000, for assistance from the state received by a licensed clinical social worker or a licensed professional counselor who is not described by Subdivision (2); and

(5) $10,000, for assistance from the state received by a licensed chemical dependency counselor, if the chemical dependency counselor has received an associate degree related to chemical dependency counseling or behavioral science.

SECTION 4. Section 61.608, Education Code, is amended by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:

(c) The board shall adopt rules establishing a process for allocating any unused funds under the program in accordance with Section 61.604(d).

SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.

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