Bill Text: TX SB1860 | 2017-2018 | 85th Legislature | Introduced

Texas Senate Bill 1860 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Relating to agreements between this state and other jurisdictions concerning reciprocal licensure of mental health professionals.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-03-23 - Referred to Health & Human Services [SB1860 Detail]

Download: Texas-2017-SB1860-Introduced.html

	85R7314 SMT-D

	By: Lucio	S.B. No. 1860



	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to agreements between this state and other jurisdictions
	concerning reciprocal licensure of mental health professionals.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1. In this Act:
	(1) "Department" means the Department of State Health
	Services.
	(2) "Reciprocity agreement" means an agreement
	between a licensing entity of this state and a licensing entity of
	another jurisdiction under which each accepts the credentials of a
	professional licensed in the other jurisdiction or in this state.
	SECTION 2. (a) The department shall conduct a study of
	reciprocity agreements between this state and other licensing
	jurisdictions that concern licensed mental health professionals.
	The study must assess the effectiveness of each agreement in making
	mental health providers and services available in this state.
	(b) The department shall collaborate with the following
	entities in conducting the study:
	(1) Texas Medical Board;
	(2) Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists;
	(3) Texas State Board of Examiners of Marriage and
	Family Therapists;
	(4) Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional
	Counselors; and
	(5) Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners.
	(c) The department may collaborate with another licensing
	entity the department determines appropriate in conducting the
	study.
	(d) The department shall prepare a report summarizing the
	conclusions of the study and including recommendations to improve
	the effectiveness of reciprocity agreements in increasing the
	availability of mental health providers and services in this state,
	including recommendations for:
	(1) action by the department;
	(2) action by a licensing entity of this state; and
	(3) legislative reform.
	SECTION 3. As soon as practicable after the completion of
	the report, the department and each applicable licensing entity
	shall implement the pertinent recommendations.
	SECTION 4. The department shall submit to the legislature
	the report described in Section 2(d) of this Act not later than
	November 1, 2018.
	SECTION 5. This Act expires December 31, 2018.
	SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.