What's happening at the Capitol.
txca.org/advocacy | #TxCAadvocacy
5 Days left to Pass Bills

Ten days left in the session but just 5 days left to pass bills. Thanks to everyone who responded to our Action Alerts this week. Your amazing advocacy is keeping two important bills – SB 179 and HB 3626 – in play. SB 179 has been rescheduled for House Calendar for Sunday, May 23rd.  

The House recessed on Thursday until Sunday at 1 p.m. The word is House members are frustrated that the Senate is not moving quickly on House bills. Of the 195 bills sent to the Governor so far, just 72 are House bills. Tuesday at midnight is the last chance for the House to pass a Senate bill. Wednesday is the last day for the Senate to pass a House bill. Keep calling and sending emails. It takes less than 3 minutes to make a huge impact!
ACTION ALERTS
Take Action Now!

Friday, 5/21/21 8:30 am
What to Ask:  Please favorably report out HB 3626 (Zaffirini). See HB 3626 position paper.

Talking Points
  • HB 3626 will expedite the licensing of LPCs, LMFTs and SWs, saving money and time.
  • HB 3626 has NO fiscal note and no opposition.
  • HB 3626 does NOT create any new licenses. 
  • HB 3626 will help veterans get licensed in Texas faster.
  • HB 3626 will help address mental health workforce shortage areas across Texas. 

Set on House Calendar for Sunday, 5/23/21 after 1 p.m.
What to Ask: Please vote FOR SB 179 (Huberty). See SB 179 position paper.

Talking Points
  • SB 179 will allow school districts to adopt policies based on local district needs on how school counselors spend their time.
  • SB 179 does NOT set district policies in statute.
  • SB 179 will help increase students’ access to school counselors.
  • SB 179 will encourage school counselors to remain in their profession.
  • SB 179 has no fiscal note. 

What to Ask: Please favorably report out HB 332 (Lucio/Talarico).

Talking Points
  • HB 332 will allow school districts to use compensatory education funds for social emotional learning programs.
  • HB 332 will expand resources to help students be academically successful by learning strategies to cope with trauma and other mental health challenges.
  • HB 332 does not increase funding; it just expands opportunity to align with the needs of individual campuses. 
WHAT HAPPENED
Go to www.capitol.texas.gov to access the most current versions of the bills listed below and to check on status updates.

  • SB 1 (Nelson/Bonnen) reported from Conference Committee. Includes BHEC Exceptional Items. 

  • HB 4 (Price/Buckingham) extending Medicaid and CHIP telehealth services to include telephone access. Reported as substituted from Senate Health and Human Services Committee.  

  • SB 1590 (Bettencourt) to allow virtual observations of field training for educator certification. Set on House Calendar for 5/22/21.  

  • HB 133 (Rose/Kolkhorst) extending post-partum Medicaid coverage. Reported as substituted from Senate Health and Human Services Committee. 

  • SB 123 (Johnson) to include social and emotional skills in character trait instruction in public schools. Reported from House Public Education Committee.

  • SB 1311 (Hall) prohibiting treatment for gender transitioning or reassignment. Passed the Senate (18/13) and sent to the House. Not yet referred to a House committee. 
BILLS SENT TO GOVERNOR ABBOTT
Go to www.capitol.texas.gov to access the most current versions of the bills listed.

  • HB 549 (Thompson/Zaffirini) to exempt LPCs and others from civil liability for the disclosure of certain mental health information.

  • HB 785 (Allen/Zaffirini) related to documentation, notification and implementation of behavior improvement and intervention plans.

  • HB 2093 (Cortez) adding physician assistants to the list of non-physician mental health providers. 

  • SB 45 (Zaffirini/Zwiener) to prohibit sexual harassment in the workplace. 

  • SB 184 (Johnson/Thompson) directing the Department of State Health Services to study and report on the prevalence of eating disorders and eating disorder related deaths in Texas.
TEXAS COUNSELING ASSOCIATION