S.B. No. 498 establishes the "Licensed Professional Counselors Compact" within the Texas Occupations Code, aimed at facilitating the interstate practice of Licensed Professional Counselors. The compact seeks to enhance public access to counseling services while preserving state regulatory authority for public health and safety. It includes provisions for mutual recognition of licenses among member states, support for military spouses, and the use of telehealth technology. States wishing to join the compact must meet specific requirements, such as licensing counselors, requiring a nationally recognized exam, and having a mechanism for investigating complaints. The bill emphasizes that individuals not residing in a member state must maintain a single state license, which does not grant the privilege to practice in other member states.

The bill also creates the Counseling Compact Commission, a joint public agency responsible for overseeing the compact's implementation and administration. The Commission will consist of delegates from each member state's Licensing Board and will have the authority to create bylaws, manage operations, and conduct public meetings. It includes provisions for qualified immunity for Commission members and employees, protecting them from personal liability in civil actions related to their official duties, barring intentional misconduct. Additionally, the bill outlines a coordinated data system for maintaining licensure and investigative information across member states, establishes responsibilities for states that have been terminated from the compact, and provides a framework for dispute resolution. The compact will take effect once enacted by the tenth member state, with an effective date set for September 1, 2025.

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