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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the licensing and regulation of speech-language |
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pathologists and audiologists. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 401.201, Occupations Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsection (b) to read as follows: |
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(b) Notwithstanding any other law, in adopting a rule under |
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this chapter, the commission: |
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(1) shall authorize: |
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(A) a license holder, including a licensed intern |
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or licensed assistant, to provide services by use of any |
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interactive audiovisual communication system, whether real-time or |
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two-way, including a smart phone; and |
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(B) any supervision requirement for an applicant |
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under this chapter to be fulfilled wholly or partly by use of |
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telecommunications technology; and |
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(2) may not: |
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(A) require a license holder 's initial |
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professional contact with a client to be in-person; or |
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(B) impose any limitation on a license holder 's |
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selection of a facilitator to assist the license holder in |
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providing services by use of telecommunications technology. |
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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, the |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |