85R7085 EES-D
By: Lucio S.B. No. 1694
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to suicide prevention training for certain mental health
professionals.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subtitle A, Title 3, Occupations Code, is
amended by adding Chapter 116 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 116. SUICIDE PREVENTION TRAINING FOR CERTAIN MENTAL HEALTH
PROFESSIONALS
Sec. 116.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter, "mental health
professional" and "mental health services" have the meanings
assigned by Section 164.003, Health and Safety Code.
Sec. 116.002. SUICIDE PREVENTION TRAINING. (a) A mental
health professional must complete four hours of suicide prevention
training before the mental health professional may provide mental
health services:
(1) in the scope of employment with this state;
(2) under a contract with this state;
(3) in the scope of employment with an organization
that receives funding from this state; or
(4) under a contract with an organization that
receives funding from this state.
(b) The Department of State Health Services, the Texas
Medical Board, the Texas Board of Nursing, the Texas State Board of
Examiners of Psychologists, the Texas State Board of Examiners of
Marriage and Family Therapists, the Texas State Board of Examiners
of Professional Counselors, and the Texas State Board of Social
Worker Examiners shall jointly approve suicide prevention training
courses that may be completed by mental health professionals to
satisfy the suicide prevention training requirement of Subsection
(a).
SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Act, the Department of State Health Services shall develop a
process for notifying mental health professionals who are employed
by or provide mental health services under a contract with this
state or an organization that receives funding from this state of
the suicide prevention training requirement of Section 116.002(a),
Occupations Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 3. Section 116.002(a), Occupations Code, as added
by this Act, applies only to mental health services provided as
described by that section on or after September 1, 2019.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.