By: Price, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Hinojosa) H.B. No. 3083
(In the Senate - Received from the House May 15, 2017;
May 15, 2017, read first time and referred to Committee on Higher
Education; May 21, 2017, reported adversely, with favorable
Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 5, Nays 0;
May 21, 2017, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR H.B. No. 3083 By: Watson
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to repayment of certain mental health professional
education loans.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. 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; [and]
(5) a licensed clinical social worker, as defined by
Section 505.002, Occupations Code; and
(6) a chemical dependency counselor, as defined by
Section 504.001, Occupations Code.
SECTION 2. Section 61.604, Education Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:
(d) If in a state fiscal year not all funds available for
purposes of the program are used, the board may allocate any unused
funds to award repayment assistance grants to mental health
professionals in any of the professions listed in Section 61.601.
The limitations prescribed by Subsections (b) and (c) do not apply
to grants awarded under this subsection.
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; or
(C) a licensed professional counselor, if the
counselor has received a doctoral degree related to counseling;
(3) $60,000, for assistance from the state received by
an advanced practice registered nurse; [and]
(4) $40,000, for assistance from the state received by
a licensed clinical social worker or a licensed professional
counselor who is not described by Subdivision (2); 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 61.608, Education Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:
(c) The board shall adopt rules establishing a process for
allocating any unused funds under the program in accordance with
Section 61.604(d).
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.
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