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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to student loan repayment assistance for certain mental |
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health professionals. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 61.601, Education Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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Sec. 61.601. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "mental |
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health professional" means: |
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(1) a licensed physician who is: |
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(A) a graduate of an accredited psychiatric |
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residency training program; or |
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(B) certified in psychiatry by: |
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(i) the American Board of Psychiatry and |
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Neurology; or |
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(ii) the American Osteopathic Board of |
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Neurology and Psychiatry; |
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(2) a psychologist, as defined by Section 501.002, |
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Occupations Code; |
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(3) a licensed professional counselor, as defined by |
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Section 503.002, Occupations Code; |
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(4) an advanced practice registered nurse, as defined |
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by Section 301.152, Occupations Code, who holds a nationally |
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recognized board certification in psychiatric or mental health |
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nursing; [and] |
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(5) a licensed clinical social worker, as defined by |
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Section 505.002, Occupations Code; and |
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(6) a licensed marriage and family therapist, as |
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defined by Section 502.002, Occupations Code. |
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SECTION 2. Section 61.607(b), Education Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(b) The total amount of repayment assistance received by a |
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mental health professional under this subchapter may not exceed: |
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(1) $160,000, for assistance received by a licensed |
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physician; |
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(2) $80,000, for assistance received by: |
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(A) a psychologist; |
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(B) a licensed clinical social worker, if the |
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social worker has received a doctoral degree related to social |
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work; [or] |
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(C) a licensed professional counselor, if the |
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counselor has received a doctoral degree related to counseling; or |
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(D) a licensed marriage and family therapist, if |
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the marriage and family therapist has received a doctoral degree |
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related to marriage and family therapy; |
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(3) $60,000, for assistance received by an advanced |
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practice registered nurse; and |
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(4) $40,000, for assistance received by a licensed |
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clinical social worker, a licensed marriage and family therapist, |
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or a licensed professional counselor who is not described by |
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Subdivision (2). |
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SECTION 3. 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, 2017. |