HB1660 - Relating to the licensing of certain education professionals as licensed specialists in school psychology.

  89R1579 JTZ-D     By: Bucy H.B. No. 1660       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the licensing of certain education professionals as   licensed specialists in school psychology.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 501.260, Occupations Code, is amended by   adding Subsections (b-1) and (b-2) to read as follows:           (b-1)     The executive council, in consultation with the   commissioner of education and the State Board for Educator   Certification, shall adopt rules providing for the issuance of a   license under this section to a person who has been employed by a   school district as:                 (1)  an educational diagnostician;                 (2)  an occupational therapist;                 (3)  a school counselor;                 (4)  a social worker;                 (5)  a special education teacher; or                 (6)  a speech language pathologist.           (b-2)     In adopting rules under Subsection (b-1), the   executive council shall consult with the Texas Education Agency and   the State Board for Educator Certification to identify the skills,   training, and education needed for a person described by that   subsection to successfully provide psychological services in a   school district. The rules adopted under Subsection (b-1) must   establish a process for the executive council, with the assistance   of a regional education service center established under Chapter 8,   Education Code, as considered appropriate by the commissioner of   education, to identify any additional education and training that   an applicant must complete before issuance of the license.          SECTION 2.  As soon as practicable after the effective date   of this Act, the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council shall   adopt the rules required by Section 501.260(b-1), Occupations Code,   as added by this Act.          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, 2025.