By: Van de Putte S.B. No. 1291
(In the Senate - Filed March 3, 2009; March 17, 2009, read
first time and referred to Committee on State Affairs;
April 9, 2009, reported adversely, with favorable Committee
Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 9, Nays 0; April 9, 2009,
sent to printer.)
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 1291 By: Van de Putte
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to access to certain counselors and therapists.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 1451.114, Insurance Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 1451.114. SELECTION OF LICENSED PROFESSIONAL
COUNSELOR. [(a)] An insured may select a licensed professional
counselor to provide the services scheduled in the health insurance
policy that are within the scope of the counselor's license.
[(b) The health insurance policy may require that services
of a licensed professional counselor must be recommended by a
physician.]
SECTION 2. Section 1451.116, Insurance Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 1451.116. SELECTION OF MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPIST.
[(a)] An insured may select a marriage and family therapist to
provide the services scheduled in the health insurance policy that
are within the scope of the therapist's license.
[(b) The health insurance policy may require that services
of a marriage and family therapist must be recommended by a
physician.]
SECTION 3. This Act applies only to an insurance policy or
contract or evidence of coverage that is delivered, issued for
delivery, or renewed on or after January 1, 2010. An insurance
policy or contract or evidence of coverage delivered, issued for
delivery, or renewed before January 1, 2010, is governed by the law
as it existed immediately before the effective date of this Act, and
that law is continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.
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