Amend HB 2598 (house committee report) by adding the following appropriately numbered SECTIONS to the bill and renumbering subsequent SECTIONS of the bill accordingly:

SECTION ____.  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;

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

(6)  a [licensed specialist in] school psychologist [psychology], as defined by Section 501.002, Occupations Code;

(7)  a chemical dependency counselor, as defined by Section 504.001, Occupations Code; and

(8)  a licensed marriage and family therapist, as defined by Section 502.002, Occupations Code.

SECTION ____.  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;

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

(D)  a licensed marriage and family therapist, if the marriage and family therapist has received a doctoral degree related to marriage and family therapy;

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

(4)  $40,000, for assistance from the state received by:

(A)  a licensed clinical social worker, a licensed marriage and family therapist, or a licensed professional counselor who is not described by Subdivision (2); or

(B)  a [licensed specialist in] school psychologist [psychology]; 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 ____.  Section 411.12502(a), Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a)  The Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council is entitled to obtain criminal history record information as provided by Subsection (b) that relates to a person who is an applicant for or licensed as:

(1)  a licensed psychologist, licensed psychological associate, or [licensed specialist in] school psychologist [psychology] under Chapter 501, Occupations Code;

(2)  a licensed marriage and family therapist or licensed marriage and family therapist associate under Chapter 502, Occupations Code;

(3)  a licensed professional counselor or licensed professional counselor associate under Chapter 503, Occupations Code; or

(4)  a licensed baccalaureate social worker, licensed master social worker, or licensed clinical social worker under Chapter 505, Occupations Code.