By: Clardy (Senate Sponsor - Menéndez) H.B. No. 3808
(In the Senate - Received from the House May 5, 2017;
May 10, 2017, read first time and referred to Committee on Higher
Education; May 15, 2017, reported favorably by the following vote:
Yeas 6, Nays 1; May 15, 2017, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to student loan repayment assistance for certain mental
health professionals.
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 licensed marriage and family therapist, as
defined by Section 502.002, Occupations Code.
SECTION 2. 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 received by a licensed
physician;
(2) $80,000, for assistance 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; or
(D) a licensed marriage and family therapist, if
the marriage and family therapist has received a doctoral degree
related to marriage and family therapy;
(3) $60,000, for assistance received by an advanced
practice registered nurse; and
(4) $40,000, for assistance received by a licensed
clinical social worker, a licensed marriage and family therapist,
or a licensed professional counselor who is not described by
Subdivision (2).
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2017.
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