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Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC) provides updated PDF compilation of MFT Rules

10/08/2020

https://www.bhec.texas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/October-2020-LMFT.pdf

"House Committee Passes Mental Health Legislation

9/10/2020

Today, the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved HR 945 in an historic vote supporting Medicare coverage for the counseling profession. While this legislation has passed both the House and Senate twice over the years, never before has the bill been voted on as a standalone measure rather than part of a broader package.

Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr’s (D-NJ) opening remarks described HR 945 as “bipartisan legislation that would improve access to mental health providers in the Medicare program by covering mental health counselor and marriage and family therapist services.”

The sponsors of HR 945, Congressmen Mike Thompson (D-CA) and John Katko (R-NY), fought hard for inclusion of the legislation in the markup. They worked closely with committee staff and Members to build support for passage. Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee Chairwoman Anna Eshoo (D-CA) also pushed for the bill, speaking on its behalf at the markup calling it a “blessing” and stating that “passage is a priority to me.” The Committee reported the bill to the full House by voice vote.

The future of HR 945 in this Congress is difficult to forecast. There are limited legislative workdays before Members leave for campaigning in October, although there is expected to be a post-election lame duck session that may provide additional opportunity. Further, a Senate calendar packed with COVID relief legislation and annual appropriations is offering little room for movement of our Senate companion bill, S. 286.

While the President’s signature cannot be guaranteed in the 116th Congress, this historic vote shouldn’t be underestimated. There remain paths for passage this year, and even if success is elusive, the Committee approval strengthens the chance for approval in the next Congress when mental health legislation is anticipated."

https://www.amhca.org/blogs/david-bergman1/2020/09/09/house-committee-passes-counselor-medicare-legislat

Beginning 9/1/20, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) entity that has been running the LMFT licensing board will be taken over by the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC). BHEC will oversee the licensing boards for LMFT, LPC, LCSW, & Psychologists.

There are 3 big changes we want to bring to your attention:

1. Starting 9/1/20, all licensees are required to renew licenses online through the Texas BHEC website: http://www.bhec.texas.gov/online-license-renewal-system/index.html
2. Effective 9/1/20, all licensees are required to have a continuing education course on human trafficking prevention before renewal: "The 86th Texas Legislature introduced Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 116, Training Course on Human Trafficking Prevention, which requires a health care practitioner, such as an LMFT or LMFT Associate to successfully complete an HHSC-approved Human Trafficking Prevention training course as a condition for renewal of a license on or after September 1, 2020. Information about approved courses are available on HHSC’s Health Care Practitioner Human Trafficking Training webpage." https://www.dshs.texas.gov/mft/mft_ceinfo.shtm
3. Beginning 3/31/21, all licensees are required to undergo a fingerprinting process in order to renew our license: "Beginning with LPC, LMFT, and Social Work licensees with expiration dates of March 31, 2021, per Council rule 882.40(c), LPC, LMFT, and Social Work licensees must undergo a fingerprint based criminal history check as a condition of renewal. The instructions and forms needed to undergo a fingerprint based criminal history check will be made available on the Council’s Forms and Publications web page." http://www.bhec.texas.gov/forms-and-publications/index.html