89R11072 RAL-F
 
  By: Ward Johnson H.B. No. 4261
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the licensing of certain social workers; imposing a
  fee.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter G, Chapter 505, Occupations Code, is
  amended by adding Section 505.355 to read as follows:
         Sec. 505.355.  ALTERNATIVES TO EXAMINATION. (a) The
  executive council by rule shall establish alternative methods,
  other than an examination, of examining the competency of an
  applicant for a baccalaureate or master social worker license who
  has failed the applicable examination two or more times.  The rules
  adopted under this subsection must set a fee for the administration
  of the alternative method of examining competency.  In adopting the
  rules, the executive council shall consider the recommendations of
  the work group established under Subsection (b). 
         (b)  The executive council shall establish a work group to
  solicit input from stakeholders and make recommendations on the
  development and implementation of alternative methods under
  Subsection (a). The work group must consist of persons with a
  background in social work.
         SECTION 2.  Not later than January 1, 2026, the Texas
  Behavioral Health Executive Council shall adopt the rules required
  by Section 505.355, Occupations Code, as added by this Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.