H.B. No. 5421 aims to enhance the regulation of certain mental health professions in Texas, specifically focusing on the licensing of marriage and family therapists, professional counselors, and social workers. The bill amends various sections of the Occupations Code, including the general powers and duties of the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council and the specific qualifications for obtaining licenses. Notably, it introduces new provisions that allow the executive council to determine the qualifications of license applicants and to adopt a code of professional ethics. Additionally, the bill specifies that the board will propose rules regarding licensing qualifications, scope of practice, and continuing education requirements, while also establishing a schedule of sanctions for violations.

The bill also modifies the requirements for applicants seeking licenses as marriage and family therapist associates and licensed marriage and family therapists. It removes certain stipulations regarding criminal history and the necessity of passing examinations for some applicants, while introducing new criteria for supervised clinical practice hours. Furthermore, it allows for reciprocal licensing agreements with other jurisdictions, provided their requirements are substantially equal to Texas's. The bill repeals several outdated provisions and clarifies that the new regulations will apply only to applications filed after the bill's effective date, which could be immediate or set for September 1, 2025, depending on legislative approval.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Occupations Code 502.151, Occupations Code 502.252, Occupations Code 502.2545, Occupations Code 502.259, Occupations Code 502.301 (Occupations Code 502)