Source: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/archive/September222017/Adopted%20Rules/22.EXAMINING%20BOARDS.html
Timestamp: 2018-01-22 20:11:13
Document Index: 204155644

Matched Legal Cases: ['§461', '§461', '§463', '§463', '§463', '§55', '§465', '§465', '§465', '§465', '§465', '§465', '§465', '§465', '§465', '§469', '§469', '§851', '§851', '§851', '§851', '§851', '§851', '§851', '§851', '§851', '§851', '§851', '§851', '§851', '§851', '§851', '§851', '§851', '§851', '§851', '§851', '§851', '§851', '§851', '§851', '§851', '§851', '§851', '§1002', '§1002', '§1002', '§1002', '§1002', '§1002', '§1002', '§1002', '§1002', '§1002', '§1002', '§1002', '§1002', '§1002', '§1002', '§1002', '§851', '§851', '§1002', '§1002', '§1002', '§1002', '§1002', '§1002', '§1002']

The Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists adopts new rule §461.9, concerning Conflicts of Interest and Recusals, without changes to the proposed text as published in the June 23, 2017, issue of the Texas Register (42 TexReg 3226). The new rule will not be republished.
The new rule as adopted is being offered to fulfill the requirements of recommendation 3.9 in the Sunset Advisory Commission's report.
TRD-201703533
The Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists adopts amendment §461.14, concerning Conflicts Between Other Laws and Board Rules without changes to the proposed text published in the June 23, 2017, issue of the Texas Register (42 TexReg 3227) and will not be republished.
The amendment as adopted is necessary to clarify the hierarchy of controlling legal doctrine in the event of a conflict with an agency rule.
TRD-201703534
The Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists adopts amendments to §463.5, concerning Application File Requirements, without changes to the proposed text as published in the July 14, 2017, issue of the Texas Register (42 TexReg 1316). The amended rule will not be republished.
TRD-201703535
The Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists adopts the repeal of §463.28, concerning Emergency Limited Temporary Licensure without changes to the proposed text published in the June 23, 2017, issue of the Texas Register (42 TexReg 3232) and will not be republished.
The repeal as adopted is due to the lack of statutory basis.
TRD-201703536
The Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists adopts amendments to §463.30, concerning Licensing for Military Service Members, Veterans and Spouses, without changes to the proposed text as published in the June 23, 2017, issue of the Texas Register (42 TexReg 3243). The amended rule will not be republished.
The amendment as adopted is being offered to bring the rule into alignment with Management Recommendation No. 3.8 on page 24 of the Sunset Commission Staff Report. The adopted amendment is necessary to ensure compliance with §55.007, Occupations Code, by eliminating reference letters from the list of licensing criteria which may be satisfied by military service, training, or education.
A general comment was received regarding the adoption of the amendment.
The Board received one comment. Commenter reflects disagreement with the proposed change allowing LPAs to practice independently, and reiterates the need to continue imposing perpetual supervision for practicing LPAs.
The proposed amendment does not grant LPAs the ability to practice independently. Thus, the Board declines to withdraw or modify the proposed change based upon this comment.
TRD-201703537
The Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists adopts the amendment §465.1, concerning Definitions without changes to the proposed text published in the June 23, 2017, issue of the Texas Register (42 TexReg 3234) and will not be republished.
The amendment as adopted is necessary to clarify the meaning of specific terms used in this rule.
Comments were received regarding the adoption of the amendment.
The comments received reflect concern about releasing test responses on computerized assessments, and suggest changing the rule to require the release of test scores only.
The proposed amendment is necessary to clarify specific terms and to ensure those terms comport with a patient's right to his or her records under Ch. 611 of the Health & Safety Code. Additionally, the Board is unpersuaded by the argument that some patient responses are not reported or reflected on a printout - the proposed amendments do not require a licensee to provide test results where it is not possible to do so. With that being said, Ch. 611 of the Health & Safety Code does not contain an exception to a patient's right of access to his or her file simply because it will be difficult for the licensee to comply with the request. The Board has encountered many situations where patient responses were requested for legitimate reasons and the test scores alone would not have been responsive to the needs of the patient or his or her provider. Thus, the Board declines to withdraw or modify the proposed change based upon these comments.
The Board received one comment, commenter also expressed concern about the constitutionality of how the Board defines psychological services and professional relationship.
The Board declines to withdraw or modify the proposed change based upon the concerns expressed about the constitutionality of the Board's definitions. The Board will, however, be reviewing its definitions further as part of the proposed rule review, and it will make any changes identified as being necessary in light of the Serafine opinion.
TRD-201703538
The Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists adopts amendments to §465.3, concerning Providers of Psychological Services, without changes to the proposed text as published in the June 23, 2017, issue of the Texas Register (42 TexReg 3238). The amended rule will not be republished.
The amendment as adopted serves to eliminate redundant language and clarify the principle that agency rules are subservient to conflicting laws and guidelines found at both the state and federal level.
TRD-201703539
The Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists adopts the amendment to §465.6, concerning Public Statements, Advertisements, and Specialty Titles with changes to the proposed text published in the June 23, 2017, issue of the Texas Register (42 TexReg 3239) and will be republished.
The amendment as adopted is necessary to remove restrictions on speech which represent an unreasonable risk of liability in light of the recent Serafine v. Branaman opinion.
The comments received reflect disagreement with the proposed deletion of subsection (a) from the rule.
The proposed amendment would not, contrary to what has been suggested in the comments, allow anyone other than a psychologist to list himself or herself under the heading of "Psychologist" in the phone book. The Board would direct each individual submitting comments on this rule to subsection (a)(1) of the proposed rule, which will guard against the very concerns expressed in these comments. Thus, the Board declines to withdraw or modify the proposed change based upon these comments.
§465.6.Public Statements, Advertisements, and Specialty Titles.
(2) Licensees who learn of any false or deceptive statements about any of the matters referenced in subsection(a)(1) must make reasonable efforts to correct such statements.
TRD-201703540
The Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists adopts the amendment to §465.11, concerning Informed Consent/Describing Psychological Services without changes to the proposed text published in the June 23, 2017, issue of the Texas Register (42 TexReg 3240) and will not be republished.
The amendment as adopted is necessary to comply with the management action adopted by the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission requiring this agency to amend its rules to allow LSSPs to practice in private schools.
TRD-201703541
The Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists adopts an amendment to §465.16, concerning Evaluation, Assessment, Testing, and Reports, without changes to the proposed text as published in the June 23, 2017, issue of the Texas Register (42 TexReg 3242). The amended rule will not be republished.
The amendment as adopted is necessary to ensure conformity in the Board's rules and provide reasonable assurance of competency from licensed psychological associated engaged in independent practice.
The comments received reflect disagreement with the proposed rule change, and instead suggest making a distinction between qualifications to purchase and use a test.
The proposed amendment is offered to ensure adequate protections of the public following the newly created pathway for independent practice by LPAs, but does not operate to limit the effect of Board rule 465.9. The proposed amendment would not, contrary to what has been suggested in the comments, allow an LPA to administer an exam, despite have purchased the exam from a test publisher or authorized vendor, when that licensee is not competent to do so. The proposed change speaks only to the education, training, or licensure requirements established by a test publisher- it does not create a presumption of competency under Board rule 465.9.
Thus, the Board declines to withdraw or modify the proposed change based upon these comments.
TRD-201703542
The Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists adopts the repeal of §465.19, concerning Teaching without changes to the proposed text published in the June 23, 2017, issue of the Texas Register (42 TexReg 3243) and will not be republished.
The repeal as adopted is necessary because the Board either lacks the statutory authority to regulate matters covered by this rule or the matters are already covered by existing rules elsewhere.
TRD-201703543
The Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists adopts the amendment to §465.22, concerning Psychological Records, Test Data and Text Materials without changes to the proposed text published in the June 23, 2017, issue of the Texas Register (42 TexReg 3243) and will not be republished.
The amendment as adopted is necessary to incorporate changes made to terms defined elsewhere in the rules, as well as clarify the relationship between test data, test materials, and a patient's records.
The comments received reflect a general disagreement with requiring the release of test responses and requiring psychologists to notify test publishers when test materials are subpoenaed.
The proposed amendment is necessary to ensure a patient has access to his or her records as guaranteed under Ch. 611 of the Health & Safety Code. Furthermore, the Board is unpersuaded by the argument that some patient responses are not reported or reflected on a printout - the proposed amendments do not require a licensee to provide test results where it is not possible to do so. With that being said, Ch. 611 of the Health & Safety Code does not contain an exception to a patient's right of access to his or her file simply because it will be difficult for the licensee to comply with the request. The Board has encountered many situations where patient responses were requested for legitimate reasons and the test scores alone would not have been responsive to the needs of the patient or his or her provider. Thus, the Board declines to withdraw or modify the proposed change based upon these comments.
Additionally, contrary to the suggestion in these comments, proposed subsection (c)(4) does not require a licensee to notify a test publisher, but rather, says that a licensee should notify a test publisher. The Board would remind its licensees that generally under Texas law, a party must object to a request for test materials prior to the date of production or the objection is waived. A licensee could find himself or herself in a situation where he or she is forced to produce protected material if no objection is asserted in a timely manner. This proposed amendment seeks to provide licensees with a best practice to follow when presented with a subpoena compelling production of test materials by suggesting that the test publisher be provided with an opportunity to lodge an objection, thereby shifting the burden of objecting from the licensee to the test publisher.
TRD-201703544
The Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists adopts the amendment to §465.38, concerning Psychological Services for Schools without changes to the proposed text as published in the June 23, 2017, issue of the Texas Register (42 TexReg 3245) and will not be republished.
The amendment as adopted is necessary to comply with the management action requirement adopted by the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission requiring this agency to amend its rules to allow LSSPs to practice in private schools. The adopted amendment also serves to remove restrictions on speech which represent an unreasonable risk of liability in light of the tenuous argument for public protection supporting those restrictions. Lastly, the adopted amendment removes unreasonable restrictions on a licensee's ability to contract for the delivery of services in a public or private school.
The comments received supported the proposed changes.
The Board generally agrees with the comments.
The comment received in opposition to the proposed change reflects a belief that doctoral supervision should be required for a specified amount of time in order to ensure protection of the public.
The proposed amendment is necessary to give full effect to the Sunset Advisory Commission's management action requiring the agency to make changes to its rules and allow LSSPs to practice in both public and private schools. The Board disagrees that doctoral supervision is necessary to ensure adequate public protection given the scope and applicability of the Board's existing rules in a private school setting.
TRD-201703545
The Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists adopts the amendment to §469.1, concerning Timeliness of Complaints without changes to the proposed text as published in the June 23, 2017, issue of the Texas Register (42 TexReg 3247) and will not be republished.
The amendment as adopted is necessary to clarify the limitations periods applicable to carious rule violations, as well as clarify the applicability of limitations to complaints brought by the agency itself.
TRD-201703546
The Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists adopts the amendment to §469.9, concerning Complaints Alleging Violations of Court Orders or Education Law without changes to the proposed text as published in the June 23, 2017, issue of the Texas Register (42 TexReg 3248) and will not be republished.
The amendment as adopted is necessary to ensure consistency in decisions between state agencies with regard to complaints involving standard of care issue brought against licensed specialist in school psychology. The Board's intent by and through this amendment is to avoid potentially conflicting findings by this agency and the Texas Education Agency, thereby placing both the public and licensees in a state of confusion about what constitutes lawful and ethical practice.
TRD-201703547
The Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists (TBPG) adopts amendments to 22 TAC §§851.10, 851.20, 851.23, 851.25, 851.30, 851.80, 851.157, and 851.203; adopts the repeal of §851.158; and adopts new rules §§851.158, 851.159, and 851.220 concerning the licensure and regulation of Professional Geoscientists. The amendments to §§851.10, 851.20, 851.23, 851.25, 851.30, 851.80, 851.157, and 851.203; the repeal of §851.158; and new rules §851.159 and §851.220 are adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the July 7, 2017 issue of the Texas Register (42 TexReg 3549), and will not be republished. New rule §851.158 is adopted with changes to the proposed text and is republished below. The repeal of §851.158 will be effective as of the date the new §851.158 takes effect.
Adopted amendments to §851.10 and §851.30 clarify the definition and role of an "Authorized Official of a Firm" (AOF). Adopted amendments to §851.80 amend language to establish a proctored review of a Texas Geophysics Examination for a fee, and provide a reduction of the renewal fee to half price for a person who has a medical disability. Adopted amendments to §851.20 clarify that an applicant who is not a citizen of the United States must provide a copy of a current visa or something equivalent. Adopted amendments to §851.23 provide an alternate process for applicants who cannot provide a professional reference to verify qualifying work experience. Adopted amendments to §851.25 re-sequence elements of the existing rule so that the rule is consistent with the Texas Geoscience Practice Act, and provide that, by rule, the Board has determined that a person has satisfied "other equivalent education, as determined by the Board," if the applicant has a four year college or university degree and has the appropriate number of total hours of geoscience coursework and in upper level courses. The adopted change also provides that the Appointed Board could still determine whether an applicant's education is equivalent after review of the applicant's credentials. Adopted revisions to §851.157, along with the repeal of current §851.158 and the addition of new §851.158 and §851.159, reorganize the rules in current §851.157 and §851.158, and provide that the default for not responding to a Notice of Alleged Violation or a scheduled informal settlement conference may be to a Board Order instead of the current default of scheduling a hearing with the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH), and provide certain clarifying language regarding the procedures by which complaints are investigated and adjudicated. Current §851.158 is repealed because these provisions are provided for in TOC Chapter 1002, Subchapters J and K, making the rule redundant and, therefore, unnecessary. An adopted amendment to §851.203 adds provisions to the default process that is followed when a respondent does not appear at a SOAH hearing. Adopted new rule §851.220 provides a procedure for judicial review of a default or contested Board Order by a respondent.
The Board received no comments regarding the adoption of the amendments, the repeal, and the new rules. However, upon further review, the Board further clarified §851.158 upon adoption. No substantive changes were made.
The Board adopted new rule §851.158 with changes to include the addition of subparagraph (I) under paragraph (1), which now specifies the staff action of "dismissing complaints that are administrative, meritless, or non-jurisdictional (with or without advisement)." Additional language to paragraph (3)(A) was added to show that the notice of alleged violation will state "the authority of the TBPG to enforce the Act and take disciplinary action." In paragraph (3)(B), it now reads, "The notice of alleged violation will provide three options," and combines item (iv) with item (i), which now reads, "Accept the proposed findings and proposed disciplinary action, "and waive the right to an informal conference, contested-case hearing, and judicial review," by signing and returning the enclosed proposed Board order."
The adopted amendments are authorized by the Texas Occupations Code §1002.151 which provides that the Board shall adopt and enforce rules consistent with the Texas Geoscience Practice Act (the Act); by Occupations Code §1002.154 which provides that Board shall enforce the Act; by Occupations Code §1002.351, which authorizes temporary licenses.
The adopted amendments implement the Texas Occupations Code, §§1002.151, 1002.154, and 1002.351.
TRD-201703506
For further information, please call: (512) 936-4400
The adopted amendments are authorized by the Texas Occupations Code §1002.151, which provides that the Board shall adopt and enforce rules consistent with the Texas Geoscience Practice Act (the Act); by Occupations Code §1002.152, which authorizes the Board to set reasonable and necessary fees for applicants and license holders; by Occupations Code §1002.154, which provides that Board shall enforce the Act; by Occupations Code §1002.255, which provides that an applicant must meet certain requirements for licensure; by Occupations Code §1002.256, which provides that the Board apply certain standards when evaluating the work experience of an applicant; and by Occupations Code §1002.351, which provides that the Board may adopt rules relating to the public practice of geoscience by a firm or corporation.
The adopted amendments implement the Texas Occupations Code, §§1002.151, 1002.152, 1002.154, 1002.255, 1002.256, and 1002.351.
TRD-201703507
The adopted amendments and new rules are authorized by the Texas Occupations Code §1002.151 which provides that the Board shall adopt and enforce rules consistent with the Texas Geoscience Practice Act (the Act); by Occupations Code §1002.154 which provides that Board shall enforce the Act; by §1002.403, which provides that the Board may take specific disciplinary actions; and by §1002.453, which provides that the Board adopt rules of procedure for the imposition of an administrative penalty, and that such rules must conform to the requirements of Chapter 2001, Government Code.
The adopted amendments and new rules implement the Texas Occupations Code, §§1002.151, 1002.154, 1002.402, 1002.403, 1002.452, and 1002.453.
§851.158.Procedures.
(I) Dismiss complaints that are administrative, meritless, or non-jurisdictional (with or without advisement).
(A) The notice of alleged violation will state the authority of the TBPG to enforce the Act and take disciplinary action, the facts or conduct alleged to warrant disciplinary action, identify the proposed disciplinary action, provide the opportunity for an informal conference to show compliance with all requirements of law, and provide the opportunity for a contested-case hearing.
(B) The notice of alleged violation will provide three options:
(i) Accept the proposed findings and proposed disciplinary action, and waive the right to an informal conference, contested-case hearing, and judicial review, by signing and returning the enclosed proposed Board order;
(ii) Request an informal conference and a contested-case hearing; and
(iii) Request a contested-case hearing.
TRD-201703509
The adopted repeal of 22 TAC §851.158 is authorized by the Texas Occupations Code §1002.151 which provides that the Board shall adopt and enforce rules consistent with the Texas Geoscience Practice Act (the Act).
The adopted repeal implements the Texas Occupations Code, §1002.151.
TRD-201703508
The adopted amendments and new rules are authorized by the Texas Occupations Code §1002.151, which provides that the Board shall adopt and enforce rules consistent with the Texas Geoscience Practice Act (the Act); by Occupations Code §1002.154, which provides that Board shall enforce the Act; by §1002.403, which provides that the Board may take specific disciplinary actions; and by §1002.453, which provides that the Board adopt rules of procedure for the imposition of an administrative penalty, and that such rules must conform to the requirements of Chapter 2001, Government Code.
The adopted amendments and new rules implement the Texas Occupations Code, §§1002.151, 1002.154, 1002.403, and 1002.453.
TRD-201703510