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S.B. No. 415
AN ACT
relating to continuation and functions of the Texas State Board of
Social Worker Examiners; providing an administrative penalty.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 505.002, Occupations Code, is amended by
adding Subdivision (2-a) and amending Subdivision (4) to read as
follows:
(2-a) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of state
health services.
(4) "Department" means the [Texas] Department of State
Health Services.
SECTION 2. Subsection (a), Section 505.003, Occupations
Code, is amended to read as follows:
(a) This chapter does not apply to:
(1) an activity conducted or a service performed by a
person who is licensed, certified, or registered in a profession
other than social work, including a physician, attorney, registered
nurse, licensed vocational nurse, psychologist, occupational
therapist, licensed marriage and family therapist, licensed
chemical dependency counselor, or licensed professional counselor,
if:
(A) the activity or service is conducted or
performed within the scope of the person's license, certificate, or
registration;
(B) the person does not use a title listed in
Section 505.351; and
(C) the person does not:
(i) represent the service as social work;
(ii) represent that the person is a social
worker; or
(iii) use a title that implies that the
person is licensed in social work;
(2) a service performed by a person as a volunteer or
staff member if the person does not:
(A) represent the service as social work;
(B) represent the person as a social worker; or
(C) use a title that implies that the person is
licensed in social work;
(3) an activity conducted by a social work student,
intern, or trainee in connection with an institution of higher
education accredited by the Council on Social Work Education; or
(4) [a service performed by a person who does not
reside in this state if:
[(A) the service is performed for fewer than 30
days in a calendar year; and
[(B) the person is authorized to perform the
service under the laws of the state or country in which the person
resides; or
[(5)] an activity conducted or a service performed by
a pastoral care counselor who is acting within the person's
ministerial capabilities and who does not use a title that implies
that the counselor is licensed in social work, including:
(A) a Christian Science practitioner who is
recognized by the Church of Christ Scientist as registered and
published in the Christian Science Journal; and
(B) any other recognized religious practitioner.
SECTION 3. Section 505.005, Occupations Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 505.005. APPLICATION OF SUNSET ACT. The Texas State
Board of Social Worker Examiners is subject to Chapter 325,
Government Code (Texas Sunset Act). Unless continued in existence
as provided by that chapter, the board is abolished and Section
505.101 expires September 1, 2017 [2005].
SECTION 4. Subsection (b), Section 505.101, Occupations
Code, is amended to read as follows:
(b) Appointments to the board shall be made without regard
to the race, color, disability, sex, religion, age, or national
origin of the appointee [The governor shall make appointments to
the board after considering representation on the board by race,
sex, age, and geographical area].
SECTION 5. Section 505.102, Occupations Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 505.102. PUBLIC MEMBERSHIP ELIGIBILITY. (a) A public
member of the board may not:
(1) be licensed under this chapter; or
(2) have an interest in the practice of social work
other than as a consumer.
(b) A person is not eligible for appointment as a public
member of the board if:
(1) the person [or the person's spouse: (1)] is
registered, certified, or licensed by an occupational regulatory
agency in the field of health care;
(2) the person's spouse is registered, certified, or
licensed by an occupational regulatory agency in the field of
mental health; or
(3) the person or the person's spouse:
(A) is employed by or participates in the
management of a business entity or other organization regulated by
or receiving funds from the board or department;
(B) [(3)] owns or controls, directly or
indirectly, more than a 10 percent interest in a business entity or
other organization regulated by or receiving funds from the board
or department; or
(C) [(4)] uses or receives a substantial amount
of tangible goods, services, or funds from the board or department,
other than compensation or reimbursement authorized by law for
board membership, attendance, or expenses.
SECTION 6. Section 505.103, Occupations Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 505.103. MEMBERSHIP AND EMPLOYEE RESTRICTIONS.
(a) In this section, "Texas trade association" means a
[nonprofit,] cooperative[,] and voluntarily joined statewide
association of business or professional competitors in this state
designed to assist its members and its industry or profession in
dealing with mutual business or professional problems and in
promoting their common interest.
(b) A person [An officer, employee, or paid consultant of a
Texas trade association in the field of health care] may not be a
member of the board and may not be an employee of the department
employed in a "bona fide executive, administrative, or professional
capacity," as that phrase is used for purposes of establishing an
exemption to the overtime provisions of the federal Fair Labor
Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. Section 201 et seq.) if:
(1) the person is an officer, employee, or paid
consultant of a Texas trade association in the field of health care;
or
(2) the person's spouse is an officer, manager, or paid
consultant of a Texas trade association in the field of mental
health [who is exempt from the state's position classification plan
or is compensated at or above the amount prescribed by the General
Appropriations Act for step 1, salary group A17, of the position
classification salary schedule].
(c) [A person who is the spouse of an officer, manager, or
paid consultant of a Texas trade association in the field of health
care may not be a board member and may not be an employee of the
department who is exempt from the state's position classification
plan or is compensated at or above the amount prescribed by the
General Appropriations Act for step 1, salary group A17, of the
position classification salary schedule.
[(d)] A person may not be [serve as] a member of the board or
act [serve] as general counsel to the board or the department if the
person is required to register as a lobbyist under Chapter 305,
Government Code, because of the person's activities for
compensation on behalf of a profession related to the operation of
the board.
SECTION 7. Subsections (a) and (c), Section 505.105,
Occupations Code, are amended to read as follows:
(a) It is a ground for removal from the board that a member:
(1) does not have at the time of taking office
[appointment] the qualifications required by Sections 505.101 and
505.102(a);
(2) does not maintain during service on the board the
qualifications required by Sections 505.101 and 505.102(a);
(3) is ineligible for membership under [violates a
prohibition established by] Section 505.103;
(4) cannot, because of illness or disability,
discharge the member's duties for a substantial part of the member's
term; or
(5) is absent from more than half of the regularly
scheduled board meetings that the member is eligible to attend
during a calendar year without an excuse approved by a [, unless the
absence is excused by] majority vote of the board.
(c) If the executive director has knowledge that a potential
ground for removal exists, the executive director shall notify the
presiding officer of the board of the potential ground. The
presiding officer shall then notify the governor and the attorney
general that a potential ground for removal exists. If the
potential ground for removal involves the presiding officer, the
executive director shall notify the next highest ranking officer of
the board, who shall then notify the governor and attorney general
that a potential ground for removal exists.
SECTION 8. Section 505.109, Occupations Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 505.109. TRAINING. (a) A person who is appointed to
and qualifies for office as a member of the board may not vote,
deliberate, or be counted as a member in attendance at a meeting of
the board until the person completes a training program that
complies with [Before a board member may assume the member's
duties, the member must complete at least one course of a training
program established by the board under] this section.
(b) The training program must provide the person with
information [to a participant] regarding:
(1) the legislation that created the board and the
board's programs, functions, rules, and budget [this chapter];
(2) [the programs operated by the board;
[(3) the role and functions of the board;
[(4) the rules of the board, with an emphasis on the
rules that relate to disciplinary and investigatory authority;
[(5) the current budget for the board;
[(6)] the results of the most recent formal audit of
the board;
(3) [(7)] the requirements of laws relating to open
meetings, public information, administrative procedure, and
conflicts of interest [Chapters 551, 552, and 2001, Government
Code];
[(8) the requirements of the conflict of interest laws
and other laws relating to public officials;] and
(4) [(9)] any applicable ethics policies adopted by
the board or the Texas Ethics Commission.
(c) A person appointed to the board is entitled to
reimbursement, as provided by the General Appropriations Act, for
the travel expenses incurred in attending the training program
regardless of whether the attendance at the program occurs before
or after the person qualifies for office [In developing the
training program, the board shall consult with the governor, the
attorney general, and the Texas Ethics Commission].
[(d) If another state agency or entity is authorized to
establish the training requirements for board members, the board
shall allow that training instead of developing its own program.]
SECTION 9. Subchapter B, Chapter 505, Occupations Code, is
amended by adding Section 505.110 to read as follows:
Sec. 505.110. BOARD COMMITTEES. (a) The board may appoint
committees to assist the board with its functions under this
chapter.
(b) Only a member of the board may serve as a member of a
board committee.
SECTION 10. Subsection (a), Section 505.151, Occupations
Code, is amended to read as follows:
(a) The commissioner [of public health] shall designate an
employee of the department to serve as executive director of the
board. The executive director serves at the will of the board.
SECTION 11. Subchapter C, Chapter 505, Occupations Code, is
amended by adding Section 505.155 to read as follows:
Sec. 505.155. DIVISION OF RESPONSIBILITIES. The board
shall develop and implement policies that clearly separate the
policy-making responsibilities of the board and the management
responsibilities of the executive director and staff of the
department.
SECTION 12. Section 505.203, Occupations Code, is amended
by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:
(c) Unless the board determines that the fees would not
cover the costs associated with administering the renewal of
licenses and orders of recognition of specialty under this chapter,
the board shall set:
(1) the renewal fee for a license or order of
recognition of specialty expired for 90 days or less in an amount
that is 1-1/4 times the amount of the renewal fee for an unexpired
license or order; and
(2) the renewal fee for a license or order of
recognition of specialty expired for more than 90 days but less than
one year in an amount that is 1-1/2 times the amount of the renewal
fee for an unexpired license or order.
SECTION 13. Section 505.207, Occupations Code, is amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 505.207. ANNUAL REPORT REGARDING LICENSING. Not later
than November 1 of each year, the commissioner [of public health]
shall file with the governor and the presiding officer of each house
of the legislature a written report regarding the licensing of
social workers by the department during the preceding fiscal year.
SECTION 14. Subchapter D, Chapter 505, Occupations Code, is
amended by adding Sections 505.209, 505.210, and 505.211 to read as
follows:
Sec. 505.209. RULES ON CONSEQUENCES OF CRIMINAL CONVICTION.
(a) The board shall adopt rules necessary to comply with Chapter
53.
(b) In its rules under this section, the board shall list
the specific offenses for which a conviction would constitute
grounds for the board to take action under Section 53.021.
Sec. 505.210. USE OF TECHNOLOGY. The board shall implement
a policy requiring the board to use appropriate technological
solutions to improve the board's ability to perform its functions.
The policy must ensure that the public is able to interact with the
board on the Internet.
Sec. 505.211. NEGOTIATED RULEMAKING AND ALTERNATIVE
DISPUTE RESOLUTION POLICY. (a) The board shall develop and
implement a policy to encourage the use of:
(1) negotiated rulemaking procedures under Chapter
2008, Government Code, for the adoption of board rules; and
(2) appropriate alternative dispute resolution
procedures under Chapter 2009, Government Code, to assist in the
resolution of internal and external disputes under the board's
jurisdiction.
(b) The board's procedures relating to alternative dispute
resolution must conform, to the extent possible, to any model
guidelines issued by the State Office of Administrative Hearings
for the use of alternative dispute resolution by state agencies.
(c) The department shall designate a trained person to:
(1) coordinate the implementation of the policy
adopted under Subsection (a);
(2) serve as a resource for any training needed to
implement the procedures for negotiated rulemaking or alternative
dispute resolution; and
(3) collect data concerning the effectiveness of those
procedures, as implemented by the board.
SECTION 15. Section 505.253, Occupations Code, is amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 505.253. RECORDS OF COMPLAINTS. (a) The board shall
maintain a system to promptly and efficiently act on complaints
filed with the board. The board shall maintain:
(1) information about the parties to the complaint and
the subject matter of the complaint;
(2) a summary of the results of the review or
investigation of the complaint; and
(3) information about the disposition of the complaint
[keep an information file about each complaint filed with the
department and referred to the board. The information file shall be
kept current and must contain a record for each complaint of:
[(1) each person contacted in relation to the
complaint;
[(2) a summary of findings made at each step of the
complaint process;
[(3) an explanation of the legal basis and reason for a
complaint that is dismissed;
[(4) the schedule established under Section
505.254(b)(2) for the complaint and a notation of any change in the
schedule; and
[(5) other relevant information].
(b) The board shall make information available describing
its procedures for complaint investigation and resolution.
(c) The board shall periodically notify the parties of the
status of the complaint until final disposition of the complaint
[If a written complaint is referred to the board that the board has
the authority to resolve, the board, at least quarterly and until
final disposition of the complaint, shall notify the parties to the
complaint of the status of the complaint unless the notice would
jeopardize an undercover investigation].
SECTION 16. Subsection (a), Section 505.2545, Occupations
Code, is amended to read as follows:
(a) In an investigation of a complaint filed with the
department and referred to the board, the board may request that the
commissioner [of public health] or the commissioner's designee
approve the issuance of a subpoena. If the request is approved, the
board may issue a subpoena to compel the attendance of a relevant
witness or the production, for inspection or copying, of relevant
evidence that is in this state.
SECTION 17. Subchapter E, Chapter 505, Occupations Code, is
amended by adding Section 505.2547 to read as follows:
Sec. 505.2547. COMPLAINT COMMITTEE. The board shall
appoint at least one public member of the board to any board
committee established to review a complaint filed with the board or
review an enforcement action against a license holder related to a
complaint filed with the board.
SECTION 18. Subsection (a), Section 505.353, Occupations
Code, is amended to read as follows:
(a) To be eligible for a license under this chapter, an
applicant must:
(1) be at least 18 years of age;
(2) be worthy of the public trust and confidence;
(3) satisfy the education and experience requirements
under this section; and
(4) pass the licensing examination conducted by the
board under Section 505.354 and the jurisprudence examination
conducted by the board under Section 505.3545.
SECTION 19. Subchapter G, Chapter 505, Occupations Code, is
amended by adding Section 505.3545 to read as follows:
Sec. 505.3545. JURISPRUDENCE EXAMINATION. (a) The board
shall develop and administer at least twice each calendar year a
jurisprudence examination to determine an applicant's knowledge of
this chapter, board rules, and any other applicable laws of this
state affecting the applicant's social work practice.
(b) The board shall adopt rules to implement this section,
including rules related to the development and administration of
the examination, examination fees, guidelines for reexamination,
grading the examination, and providing notice of examination
results.
SECTION 20. Section 505.357, Occupations Code, is amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 505.357. TEMPORARY LICENSE. (a) The board shall
issue a temporary license to an applicant who:
(1) has not taken the licensing examination under
Section 505.354 or the jurisprudence examination under Section
505.3545; and
(2) satisfies the requirements for obtaining a license
under this chapter other than passing the licensing and
jurisprudence examinations [examination].
(b) A temporary license is valid until the results of the
first appropriate licensing and jurisprudence examinations
[written examination] given after the date the license is issued
are available.
SECTION 21. Subchapter G, Chapter 505, Occupations Code, is
amended by adding Section 505.3575 to read as follows:
Sec. 505.3575. ISSUANCE OF LICENSES TO CERTAIN OUT-OF-STATE
APPLICANTS. (a) Notwithstanding any other licensing requirement
of this subchapter:
(1) the board may not require an applicant who is
licensed in good standing in another state to pass a licensing
examination conducted by the board under Section 505.354 if an
applicant with substantially equivalent experience who resides in
this state would not be required to take the licensing examination;
and
(2) the board may issue a license to an applicant who
is currently licensed in another state to independently practice
social work if:
(A) after an assessment, the board determines
that the applicant:
(i) demonstrates sufficient experience and
competence;
(ii) has passed the jurisprudence
examination conducted by the board under Section 505.3545; and
(iii) at the time of the application, is in
good standing with the regulatory agency of the state in which the
applicant is licensed; and
(B) the applicant presents to the board
credentials that the applicant obtained from a national
accreditation organization and the board determines that the
requirements to obtain the credentials are sufficient to minimize
any risk to public safety.
(b) When assessing the experience and competence of an
applicant for the purposes of this section, the board may take into
consideration any supervision received by the applicant in another
state or jurisdiction if the board determines that the supervision
would be taken into consideration for the purpose of licensing or
certification in the state or jurisdiction in which the applicant
received the supervision.
SECTION 22. Subsections (a) and (b), Section 505.359,
Occupations Code, are amended to read as follows:
(a) The board shall issue an appropriate license to a
provisional license holder:
(1) who passes the licensing examination under Section
505.354 and the jurisprudence examination under Section 505.3545;
(2) for whom the board verifies that the person
satisfies the academic and experience requirements under Section
505.353; and
(3) who satisfies any other license requirements under
this chapter.
(b) The board shall complete the processing of a provisional
license holder's application for a license not later than the 180th
day after the date the provisional license is issued or the date
licenses are issued after successful completion of the next
licensing and jurisprudence examinations [examination], whichever
date is later.
SECTION 23. Subsections (a) and (c), Section 505.402,
Occupations Code, are amended to read as follows:
(a) A person may renew an unexpired license or order of
recognition of specialty by paying the appropriate [required]
renewal fee required by the board to the department before the
expiration date of the license or order.
(c) A person whose license or order of recognition of
specialty has been expired for [90 days or] less than one year may
renew the license or order by paying to the department the
appropriate [required] renewal fee required by the board [and a fee
that is equal to half the amount of the examination fee] for the
expired license or order. [If a license or order has been expired
for more than 90 days but less than one year, the person may renew
the license or order by paying to the department all unpaid renewal
fees and a fee that is equal to the amount of the examination fee for
the license.]
SECTION 24. Subsection (b), Section 505.403, Occupations
Code, is amended to read as follows:
(b) The person must pay to the department a fee that is equal
to the amount of the appropriate renewal [examination] fee for the
license or order, as required by the board.
SECTION 25. Subchapter H, Chapter 505, Occupations Code, is
amended by adding Section 505.405 to read as follows:
Sec. 505.405. GROUNDS FOR REFUSING RENEWAL. The board may
refuse to renew the license of a person who fails to pay an
administrative penalty imposed under Subchapter K unless
enforcement of the penalty is stayed or a court has ordered that the
administrative penalty is not owed.
SECTION 26. Section 505.451, Occupations Code, is amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 505.451. GROUNDS FOR DENIAL[, REVOCATION, OR
SUSPENSION] OF LICENSE OR ORDER OF RECOGNITION OF SPECIALTY;
DISCIPLINARY ACTION. The board shall deny an application for a
license or order of recognition of specialty and shall revoke or
suspend, including a suspension on an emergency basis, a license or
order, place a holder of a license or order that has been suspended
on probation, refuse to renew a person's license, or reprimand a
holder of a license or order for:
(1) violating this chapter or a rule adopted by the
board under this chapter;
(2) circumventing or attempting to circumvent the
requirements of this chapter or a rule adopted by the board under
this chapter;
(3) directly or indirectly participating in a scheme
to evade the requirements of this chapter or a rule adopted by the
board under this chapter;
(4) engaging in unethical conduct;
(5) engaging in conduct that discredits or tends to
discredit the social work profession;
(6) performing an act, allowing an omission, or making
an assertion or representation that is fraudulent, deceitful, or
misleading or that tends to create a misleading impression;
(7) knowingly associating with or permitting the use
of a license holder's professional services or identification in
connection with an enterprise that the person knows or should have
known in the exercise of reasonable diligence violates this chapter
or a rule adopted by the board under this chapter;
(8) knowingly associating with or permitting the use
of a license holder's name, professional services or
identification, or endorsement in connection with an enterprise
that the person knows or should have known in the exercise of
reasonable diligence is a trade, business, or professional practice
of a fraudulent, deceitful, or misleading nature;
(9) directly or indirectly revealing or causing to be
revealed a confidential communication transmitted to the license
holder by a client or other recipient of the license holder's
services unless revealing the communication is required by law;
(10) having been denied an application for a license
or certificate to practice social work in another jurisdiction for
a reason that the board determines would be a violation of this
chapter or a rule adopted by the board under this chapter;
(11) holding a license or certificate in another
jurisdiction that is suspended or revoked for a reason that the
board determines would be a violation of this chapter or a rule
adopted by the board under this chapter;
(12) having been convicted of a felony in this state,
another state, or the United States;
(13) refusing to perform an act or service within the
scope of the license holder's license solely because of the
recipient's age, sex, race, religion, national origin, color, or
political affiliation; or
(14) committing an act for which liability exists
under Chapter 81, Civil Practice and Remedies Code.
SECTION 27. Subchapter I, Chapter 505, Occupations Code, is
amended by adding Section 505.458 to read as follows:
Sec. 505.458. REFUND. (a) Subject to Subsection (b), the
board may order a license holder to pay a refund to a consumer as
provided in an agreement resulting from an informal settlement
conference instead of or in addition to imposing an administrative
penalty under this chapter.
(b) The amount of a refund ordered as provided in an
agreement resulting from an informal settlement conference may not
exceed the amount the consumer paid to the license holder for a
service regulated by this chapter. The board may not require
payment of other damages or estimate harm in a refund order.
SECTION 28. Subchapter J, Chapter 505, Occupations Code, is
amended by adding Section 505.508 to read as follows:
Sec. 505.508. CEASE AND DESIST ORDER. If it appears to the
board that a person who is not licensed under this chapter is
violating this chapter, a rule adopted under this chapter, or
another state statute or rule relating to the practice of social
work, the board after notice and opportunity for a hearing may issue
a cease and desist order prohibiting the person from engaging in the
activity.
SECTION 29. Section 505.551, Occupations Code, is amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 505.551. IMPOSITION OF ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTY. The
board may impose an administrative penalty on:
(1) a person licensed under this chapter who violates
this chapter or a rule or order adopted under this chapter; and
(2) a person who violates a cease and desist order
issued by the board under Section 505.508.
SECTION 30. Section 505.552, Occupations Code, is amended
by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (c) to read as
follows:
(a) The amount of the administrative penalty may not be less
than $50 or more than $5,000 [$500] for each violation. Each day a
violation continues or occurs is a separate violation for the
purpose of imposing a penalty.
(c) The board by rule shall adopt an administrative penalty
schedule based on the criteria listed in Subsection (b) for
violations of this chapter or board rules to ensure that the amounts
of penalties imposed are appropriate to the violation. The board
shall provide the administrative penalty schedule to the public on
request.
SECTION 31. (a) Not later than January 1, 2006, the Texas
State Board of Social Worker Examiners shall:
(1) adopt the policies required by Sections 505.210
and 505.211, Occupations Code, as added by this Act; and
(2) adopt the rules required by Chapter 505,
Occupations Code, as amended by this Act.
(b) Not later than March 1, 2006, the Texas State Board of
Social Worker Examiners shall develop the jurisprudence
examination required by Section 505.3545, Occupations Code, as
added by this Act.
SECTION 32. (a) The changes in law made by Section
505.105, Occupations Code, as amended by this Act, regarding the
prohibitions on or qualifications of members of the Texas State
Board of Social Worker Examiners do not affect the entitlement of a
member serving on the board immediately before September 1, 2005,
to continue to serve and function as a member of the board for the
remainder of the member's term. The changes in law made by that
section apply only to a member appointed on or after September 1,
2005.
(b) The changes in law made by this Act governing the
eligibility of a person for a license under Chapter 505,
Occupations Code, apply only to an application for a license filed
with the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners under Chapter
505, Occupations Code, as amended by this Act, on or after the
effective date of this Act. A license application filed before the
effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect at the
time the application was filed, and the former law is continued in
effect for that purpose.
(c) The changes in law made by this Act with respect to
conduct that is grounds for imposition of a disciplinary sanction,
including a refund, refusal to renew a license for failure to pay an
administrative fee, or cease and desist order, 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.
(d) The change in law made by Subsection (a), Section
505.353, Occupations Code, as amended by this Act, and Section
505.3545, Occupations Code, as added by this Act, regarding the
jurisprudence examination, applies only to an application for a
license filed with the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners
under Chapter 505, Occupations Code, as amended by this Act, on or
after September 1, 2006.
SECTION 33. (a) Not later than September 1, 2007, the
Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners by rule shall adjust
the fees for renewal of an expired license under Chapter 505,
Occupations Code, in accordance with Subsection (c), Section
505.203, Occupations Code, as added by this Act.
(b) Notwithstanding Subsection (c), Section 505.203,
Occupations Code, as added by this Act, and Subsection (c), Section
505.402, Occupations Code, as amended by this Act, the fees for an
applicant who applies for the renewal of an expired license under
Chapter 505, Occupations Code, before the effective date of the
adjustment required by Subsection (a) of this section are governed
by the law in effect immediately before the effective date of this
Act, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. An
applicant who applies for the renewal of an expired license under
Chapter 505, Occupations Code, on or after the effective date of the
adjustment required by Subsection (a) of this section is subject to
the fees provided by the Texas State Board of Social Worker
Examiners and Chapter 505, Occupations Code, as amended by this
Act.
SECTION 34. This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 415 passed the Senate on
March 31, 2005, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0; and that
the Senate concurred in House amendment on May 19, 2005, by the
following vote: Yeas 29, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 415 passed the House, with
amendment, on May 17, 2005, by a non-record vote.
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Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
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Date
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Governor