86R2438 MAW-F By: Guillen H.B. No. 4014 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the licensing and regulation of school psychologists. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 501.002, Occupations Code, is amended by adding Subdivision (6) to read as follows: (6) "School psychologist" means a person who holds a license to engage in the practice of psychology under Section 501.260. SECTION 2. Section 501.051(a-1), Occupations Code, is amended to read as follows: (a-1) One of the members appointed under Subsection (a)(1) or (a)(2) must practice as a [licensed specialist in] school psychologist [psychology under Section 501.260]. SECTION 3. The heading to Section 501.260, Occupations Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 501.260. [LICENSED SPECIALIST IN] SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST [PSYCHOLOGY]. SECTION 4. Section 501.260, Occupations Code, is amended by amending Subsections (a) and (c) and adding Subsection (d) to read as follows: (a) The board by rule shall issue a license to a [licensed specialist in] school psychologist [psychology]. A license issued under this section constitutes the appropriate credential for a person who provides psychological services as required by Section 21.003(b), Education Code. (c) The rules of practice for a [licensed specialist in] school psychologist [psychology] must comply with nationally recognized standards for the practice of school psychology. (d) A person may not use the title "school psychologist" unless the person holds a license issued under this section. SECTION 5. Section 501.002(2), Occupations Code, is repealed. SECTION 6. Section 501.260(d), Occupations Code, as added by this Act, applies 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 7. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.