Texas House Bill HB2023

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Caption

Relating to the authority of a psychologist to delegate certain acts to a person under the psychologist's supervision.

Impact

The implications of HB 2023 are significant for the practice of psychology in Texas. By permitting delegation of tasks to trained assistants, it facilitates a more scalable model of service provision in the mental health field. This change could potentially address the growing demand for psychological services by increasing the number of clients that a psychologist can serve effectively. The act mandates that the individual performing the delegated task cannot present themselves as a licensed psychologist, which helps to maintain professional standards and protect consumers. Also, it establishes that services rendered through delegation are billed under the psychologist's name, which simplifies billing processes for patients and insurers alike.

Summary

House Bill 2023 aims to amend the Occupations Code by allowing licensed psychologists to delegate certain psychological tests and services to qualified individuals under their supervision. This legislation is intended to enhance the efficiency of mental health service delivery by enabling psychologists to focus on more complex cases while qualified assistants manage standard assessments. The bill specifies that any delegation must be within the judgment of the psychologist to ensure the safety and propriety of the services performed. Furthermore, the delegating psychologist retains full responsibility for the work done by the delegated individual, ensuring accountability for the quality of care provided.

Contention

While the bill is aimed at improving service delivery, there may be points of contention related to the adequacy of supervision and training of individuals receiving delegated tasks. Some stakeholders may express concerns over the potential dilution of care quality if adequate measures are not taken to ensure that those to whom tasks are delegated are sufficiently qualified. Additionally, there may be debate regarding the scope of what constitutes appropriate delegation, and whether certain psychological tests should remain exclusively within the purview of licensed professionals. These discussions will be crucial in shaping how the bill is interpreted and implemented in practice.