81R24043 BEF-F
By: Eissler, Chisum H.B. No. 461
Substitute the following for H.B. No. 461:
By: Hopson C.S.H.B. No. 461
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the detection and treatment of dyslexia, including the
use of certain professional titles by dyslexia practitioners and
therapists; providing a criminal penalty.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subtitle G, Title 3, Occupations Code, is
amended by adding Chapter 403 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 403. DYSLEXIA PRACTITIONERS AND THERAPISTS
Sec. 403.001. SHORT TITLE. This chapter may be cited as the
Dyslexia Practitioners and Therapists Title Recognition Act.
Sec. 403.002. STATE TITLE RECOGNITION STANDARDS. (a) The
requirements in effect on September 1, 2009, to achieve membership
in the Academic Language Therapy Association as an associate
academic language teacher are adopted as the state dyslexia
practitioner title recognition standards.
(b) The requirements in effect on September 1, 2009, to
achieve membership in the Academic Language Therapy Association as
a certified academic language therapist are adopted as the state
dyslexia therapist title recognition standards.
(c) The executive commissioner of the Health and Human
Services Commission by rule may adopt an updated version of the
Academic Language Therapy Association's membership requirements as
the state's dyslexia practitioner or dyslexia therapist title
recognition standards if the executive commissioner determines
that adoption of the updated requirements is consistent with the
purpose of providing public assurance that persons who use titles
recognized under this chapter are trained and experienced providers
of quality professional services for individuals with dyslexia or
related disorders.
Sec. 403.003. CERTIFICATION REQUIRED. (a) A person may not
use the title of, or represent to the public that the person is, a
"registered dyslexia practitioner" or "associate academic language
teacher" or use the initials "RDP" or "AALT" unless the person is
certified by the Academic Language Therapy Association as meeting
the state dyslexia practitioner title recognition standards.
(b) A person may not use the title of, or represent to the
public that the person is, a "registered dyslexia therapist" or
"certified academic language therapist" or use the initials "RDT"
or "CALT" unless the person is certified by the Academic Language
Therapy Association as meeting the state dyslexia therapist title
recognition standards.
Sec. 403.004. CRIMINAL PENALTY. (a) A person commits an
offense if the person violates Section 403.003.
(b) An offense under this section is a misdemeanor
punishable by a fine not to exceed $1,000.
SECTION 2. (a) An interim committee is created to study
and recommend legislation to increase awareness of early detection
and treatment of dyslexia and related disorders. The committee's
study shall examine:
(1) early detection and intervention;
(2) access to treatment in rural areas of the state;
(3) the role of public education and higher education
in detection and treatment;
(4) treatment for older students and adults; and
(5) any barriers related to accommodations for
individuals with dyslexia and related disorders.
(b) The committee consists of the following nine members:
(1) three members appointed by the lieutenant governor
as follows:
(A) two senators, one of whom represents a rural
area; and
(B) one member who represents an institution of
higher education that offers courses in dyslexia and related
disorders;
(2) three members appointed by the speaker of the
house of representatives as follows:
(A) two state representatives, one of whom
represents a rural area; and
(B) one member who represents a nationally
accredited training center; and
(3) three members appointed by the governor as
follows:
(A) one member who is a certified academic
language therapist;
(B) one member who is a public school dyslexia
designee; and
(C) one member who is a parent of a student with
dyslexia.
(c) The committee shall elect a presiding officer from among
its members.
(d) The committee shall convene at the call of the presiding
officer.
(e) Committee members may not receive compensation or
reimbursement of expenses for serving on the committee.
(f) Not later than December 1, 2010, the committee shall
report the committee's findings and recommendations to the
lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives,
and the governor.
(g) Not later than the 60th day after the effective date of
this Act, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of
representatives, and the governor shall appoint the members of the
interim committee created under this section.
SECTION 3. Section 2 of this Act expires September 1, 2011.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.