{"data":{"id":"us-tx/tex.-education-code-8.152","jurisdiction":"us-tx","citation":"Tex. Education Code § 8.152","heading":"EMPLOYMENT OF NON-PHYSICIAN MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL AS MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE RESOURCE.","body":"(a) A local mental health authority shall employ a non-physician mental health professional to serve as a mental health and substance use resource for school districts located in the region served by a regional education service center and in which the local mental health authority provides services.\n(b) If two or more local mental health authorities provide services in a region served by a regional education service center, the local mental health authority that primarily operates in the county in which the center is located shall:\n(1) employ the non-physician mental health professional;\n(2) in making a hiring decision, consult with other local mental health authorities providing services in that region; and\n(3) before making the final hiring decision, consult with the center.\n(c) If a local mental health authority is unable to employ a professional who qualifies as a non-physician mental health professional, the authority may request a waiver from the executive commissioner for approval to employ, for purposes of performing the functions and duties of a non-physician mental health professional under this subchapter, a person who:\n(1) is a licensed master social worker, as defined by Section 505.002, Occupations Code; or\n(2) has been issued a licensed professional counselor associate license by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors.\n(d) A person approved under a waiver under Subsection (c) shall carry out the functions and duties required of a non-physician mental health professional under this subchapter in the same manner as a non-physician mental health professional employed under Subsection (a) or (b).\nAdded by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1019 (H.B. 19), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2019.\nAmended by:\nActs 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1035 (S.B. 26), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2023.","path":["EDUCATION CODE","TITLE 2. PUBLIC EDUCATION","SUBTITLE B. STATE AND REGIONAL ORGANIZATION AND GOVERNANCE","CHAPTER 8. REGIONAL EDUCATION SERVICE CENTERS","SUBCHAPTER E. MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE RESOURCES FOR SCHOOL DISTRICT PERSONNEL"],"source_url":"https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.8.htm#8.152","current_through":"89th 2nd Called Legislative Session, 2025","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-27T01:47:05Z","sha256":"473ac8121050baf40a03a9a81c98acff5a7bacd7561bacc6505fba874849e618","source_id":"us-tx","stale":false,"prev":"us-tx/tex.-education-code-8.151","next":"us-tx/tex.-education-code-8.153"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}