85R5245 BEE-D By: Miller H.B. No. 1131 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the requirement that a person obtain a dyslexia therapist license. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 403, Occupations Code, is amended by adding Section 403.004 to read as follows: Sec. 403.004. EXEMPTION FROM LICENSING REQUIREMENT FOR SUPERVISED ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES. Section 403.101(b) does not apply to the activities and services of a person who is completing supervised clinical experience as required by Section 403.105(a)(3), to the extent that the activities and services satisfy the requirements of Section 403.105(b). SECTION 2. Section 403.101, Occupations Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 403.101. LICENSE REQUIRED. (a) A person may not use the title "licensed dyslexia practitioner" or "licensed dyslexia therapist" in this state unless the person holds the appropriate license under this chapter. (b) A person may not provide multisensory structured language education or dyslexia therapy services outside of an educational setting, including a school, learning center, or clinic, unless the person holds a licensed dyslexia therapist license. SECTION 3. Subchapter C, Chapter 403, Occupations Code, is amended by adding Section 403.111 to read as follows: Sec. 403.111. TEMPORARY DYSLEXIA THERAPIST LICENSE. (a) The department shall issue a temporary dyslexia therapist license to an applicant who satisfies all eligibility requirements under Section 403.105, other than the education required by Section 403.105(a)(1). (b) A temporary license is valid until the earlier of: (1) September 1, 2022; or (2) the date on which the department issues a licensed dyslexia therapist license to the applicant. (c) The department shall issue a licensed dyslexia therapist license to the holder of a temporary license under this section if the temporary license holder satisfies the requirement under Section 403.105(a)(1). (d) This section expires January 1, 2023. SECTION 4. Section 403.151(b), Occupations Code, is amended to read as follows: (b) A licensed dyslexia therapist may practice in any [a school, learning center, clinic, or private practice] setting. SECTION 5. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to conduct that occurs on or after the effective date of this Act. Conduct that occurs before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the date the conduct occurred, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. SECTION 6. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this section, this Act takes effect September 1, 2017. (b) Section 403.101(b), Occupations Code, as added by this Act, takes effect January 1, 2018.