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