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89(R) HB 2598 - Enrolled version - Bill Text
H.B. No. 2598
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.
______________________________
______________________________
President of the Senate
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 2598 was passed by the House on May
10, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 109, Nays 22, 2 present, not
voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 2598 was passed by the Senate on May
28, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: _____________________
Date
_____________________
Governor