TITLE: Relating to a school psychologist licensed under the Occupations Code.

SUMMARY: Relating to a school psychologist licensed under the Occupations Code.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to a school psychologist licensed under the Occupations Code. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 38.303(a), Education Code, is amended to read as follows: (a) The task force is composed of: (1) the commissioner or the commissioner's designee; (2) the following additional members appointed by the commissioner: (A) three parents of students who are enrolled in school districts or open-enrollment charter schools and receive the mental health services described by Section 38.302(1); (B) one person who provides the mental health services described by Section 38.302(1) or the training described by Section 38.302(2) and who is: (i) a licensed professional counselor, as defined by Section 503.002, Occupations Code; (ii) a licensed clinical social worker, as defined by Section 505.002, Occupations Code; or (iii) a school counselor certified under Subchapter B, Chapter 21; (C) one person who is a psychiatrist; (D) two persons who are administrators of districts or schools that provide the mental health services described by Section 38.302(1) or the training described by Section 38.302(2); (E) one person who is a member of a foundation that invests in the mental health services described by Section 38.302(1) or the training described by Section 38.302(2); (F) one person who is an employee of an institution of higher education designated under Section 38.307; and (G) one person who is a [licensed specialist in] school psychologist [psychology],as defined by Section 501.002, Occupations Code; and (3) for any other entity the task force considers necessary, one person appointed by the task force for each such entity. SECTION 2. 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 3. 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 4. 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. SECTION 5. Section 548.0203(a), Government Code, as effective April 1, 2025, is amended to read as follows: (a) In this section, "health professional" means an individual who is: (1) licensed, registered, certified, or otherwise authorized by this state to practice as a social worker, occupational therapist, or speech-language pathologist; (2) a licensed professional counselor; (3) a licensed marriage and family therapist; or (4) a [licensed specialist in] school psychologist, as defined by Section 501.002, Occupations Code [psychology].SECTION 6. Section 501.002(2), Occupations Code, is amended to read as follows: (2) "School psychologist" ["Licensed specialist in school psychology"] means a person who holds a license to engage in the practice of psychology under Section 501.260. SECTION 7. Section 501.051(a-1), Occupations Code, is amended to read as follows: (a-1) One of the members appointed under Subsection (a)(1) or (a)(2) must practice as a [licensed specialist in] school psychologist [psychology] under Section 501.260. SECTION 8. The heading to Section 501.260, Occupations Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 501.260. [LICENSED SPECIALIST IN] SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST [PSYCHOLOGY].SECTION 9. Sections 501.260(a) and (c), Occupations Code, are amended to read as follows: (a) The executive council by rule shall issue a license to a [licensed specialist in] school psychologist [psychology].A license issued under this section constitutes the appropriate credential for a person who provides psychological services as required by Section 21.003(b), Education Code. (c) The rules of practice for a [licensed specialist in] school psychologist [psychology] must comply with nationally recognized standards for the practice of school psychology. SECTION 10. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.