BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2598

By: Button

Public Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The bill author has informed the committee that school psychologists have specialized training in both education and mental health and are currently designated in statute as licensed specialists in school psychology (LSSP). In 2023, the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council passed an amendment to its rules allowing LSSPs to use the title school psychologist. The bill author has informed the committee that "school psychologist" is a more widely understood term, and using that title helps parents and teachers more easily understand the services these specialists provide. H.B. 2598 seeks to address this issue by replacing references to an LSSP in applicable state law with references to a school psychologist.

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

H.B. 2598 amends the Education Code, Government Code, and Occupations Code to replace applicable references to a person employed as a psychologist by a public school district as a "licensed specialist in school psychology" with references to such a person as a "school psychologist."

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2025.