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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