TITLE 22. EXAMINING BOARDS

Part 21. TEXAS STATE BOARD OF EXAMINERS OF PSYCHOLOGISTS

Chapter 461. GENERAL RULINGS

22 TAC §461.11

The Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists proposes amendments to §461.11, concerning Continuing Education. The amendments are being proposed to assist in ensuring the competency of licensees to serve the changing populations of this state.

Sherry L. Lee, Executive Director, has determined that for the first five-year period the amendments will be in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the proposed amendments.

Ms. Lee also has determined that for each year of the first five years the rule is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the rule will be to help the Board protect the public. There will be no effect on small businesses. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the rule as proposed.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Brenda Skiff, Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, 333 Guadalupe, Suite 2-450, Austin, TX 78701, (512) 305-7700.

The amendments are proposed under Texas Occupations Code, Title 3, Subtitle I, Chapter 501, which provides the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists with the authority to make all rules, not inconsistent with the Constitution and Laws of this State, which are reasonably necessary for the proper performance of its duties and regulations of proceedings before it.

No other code, articles or statutes are affected by this section.

§461.11.Continuing Education.

(a) Requirements. All licensees of the Board are obligated to continue their professional education by completing a minimum of 12 hours of continuing education during each year that they hold a license from the Board regardless of the number of separate licenses held by the licensee. Of these 12 hours, all licensees must complete a minimum of three hours of continuing education per year in the areas of ethics, the Board's Rules of Conduct, or professional responsibility , and three hours in areas of diversity training: age, gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or socioeconomic status .

(b) - (f) (No change.)

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 10, 2007.

TRD-200701799

Sherry L. Lee

Executive Director

Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists

Earliest possible date of adoption: June 24, 2007

For further information, please call: (512) 305-7706


Chapter 465. RULES OF PRACTICE

22 TAC §465.3

The Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists proposes amendments to §465.3, concerning Providers of Psychological Services. The amendments are being proposed to make grammatical and punctuation corrections in this rule.

Sherry L. Lee, Executive Director, has determined that for the first five-year period the amendments will be in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the proposed amendments.

Ms. Lee also has determined that for each year of the first five years the rule is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the rule will be to help the Board protect the public. There will be no effect on small businesses. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the rule as proposed.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Brenda Skiff, Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, 333 Guadalupe, Suite 2-450, Austin, TX 78701, (512) 305-7700.

The amendments are proposed under Texas Occupations Code, Title 3, Subtitle I, Chapter 501, which provides the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists with the authority to make all rules, not inconsistent with the Constitution and Laws of this State, which are reasonably necessary for the proper performance of its duties and regulations of proceedings before it.

No other code, articles or statutes are affected by this section.

§465.3.Providers of Psychological Services.

(a) Psychologists shall employ or utilize an individual to provide psychological services, in any setting not specifically exempt under §501.004(a)(1) of the Psychologists' Licensing Act (the Act), only if:

(1) - (3) (No change.)

(4) The individual is completing supervised experience for purposes of satisfying §501.260(b)(3) of the Act, relating to Licensed Specialist in School Psychology ; or [ . ]

(5) (No change.)

(b) (No change.)

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 10, 2007.

TRD-200701800

Sherry L. Lee

Executive Director

Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists

Earliest possible date of adoption: June 24, 2007

For further information, please call: (512) 305-7706


22 TAC §465.12

The Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists proposes amendments to §465.12, concerning Privacy and Confidentiality. The amendments are being proposed to make grammatical corrections in this rule.

Sherry L. Lee, Executive Director, has determined that for the first five-year period the amendments will be in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the proposed amendments.

Ms. Lee also has determined that for each year of the first five years the rule is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the rule will be to help the Board protect the public. There will be no effect on small businesses. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the rule as proposed.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Brenda Skiff, Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, 333 Guadalupe, Suite 2-450, Austin, TX 78701, (512) 305-7700.

The amendments are proposed under Texas Occupations Code, Title 3, Subtitle I, Chapter 501, which provides the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists with the authority to make all rules, not inconsistent with the Constitution and Laws of this State, which are reasonably necessary for the proper performance of its duties and regulations of proceedings before it.

No other code, articles or statutes are affected by this section.

§465.12.Privacy and Confidentiality.

(a) - (h) (No change.)

(i) Licensees [ Licenses ] include in written and oral reports and consultations, only information germane to the purpose for which the communication is made.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 10, 2007.

TRD-200701801

Sherry L. Lee

Executive Director

Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists

Earliest possible date of adoption: June 24, 2007

For further information, please call: (512) 305-7706


22 TAC §465.13

The Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists proposes amendments to §465.13, concerning Personal Problems, Conflicts and Dual Relationship. The amendments are being proposed to clarify the rule.

Sherry L. Lee, Executive Director, has determined that for the first five-year period the amendments will be in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the proposed amendments.

Ms. Lee also has determined that for each year of the first five years the rule is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the rule will be to help the Board protect the public. There will be no effect on small businesses. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the rule as proposed.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Brenda Skiff, Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, 333 Guadalupe, Suite 2-450, Austin, TX 78701, (512) 305-7700.

The amendments are proposed under Texas Occupations Code, Title 3, Subtitle I, Chapter 501, which provides the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists with the authority to make all rules, not inconsistent with the Constitution and Laws of this State, which are reasonably necessary for the proper performance of its duties and regulations of proceedings before it.

No other code, articles or statutes are affected by this section.

§465.13.Personal Problems, Conflicts and Dual Relationships.

(a) In General.

(1) (No change.)

(2) Licensees seek professional assistance for any personal problems, including alcohol or substance abuse [ use, ] that have the potential to impair their competency.

(3) (No change.)

(4) Licensees refrain from entering into any professional relationship that [ which ] conflicts with their ability to comply with all Board rules applicable to other existing professional relationships.

(5) Licensees withdraw from any professional relationship that conflicts, or comes into conflict with, their ability to comply with Board rules relating to other existing professional relationships. [ Licensees who find themselves in a professional relationship that conflicts with other professional relationships to the extent that the licensee cannot comply with all applicable Board rules relating to each of the professional relationships must withdraw from any and all relationships to prevent the conflict(s). ]

(b) Dual Relationships.

(1) A licensee must refrain from entering into a dual relationship with a client, patient, supervisee, student, group, organization, or any other party if such a relationship presents a risk that the dual relationship could impair the licensee's objectivity, prevent the licensee from providing competent psychological services, or exploit or otherwise cause harm to the other party. [ A licensee must refrain from entering into or agreeing to enter into a dual relationship with a client, patient, supervisee, student or any other individuals if it appears that such a relationship has the potential to impair the licensee's objectivity or otherwise interfere with the licensee's ability to effectively and competently provide psychological services or has any other potential to harm or exploit the other party. ]

(2) (No change.)

(3) Licensees do not provide psychological services to a person [ an individual ] with whom they have had a sexual relationship [ relationships ].

(4) Licensees do not terminate [ the delivery of ] psychological services with a person [ an individual ] in order to have a [ engage in a ] sexual relationship with that person.

(5) - (6) (No change.)

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 10, 2007.

TRD-200701802

Sherry L. Lee

Executive Director

Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists

Earliest possible date of adoption: June 24, 2007

For further information, please call: (512) 305-7706


22 TAC §465.14

The Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists proposes amendments to §465.14, concerning Misuse of Licensees' Services. The amendments are being proposed to clarify the rule.

Sherry L. Lee, Executive Director, has determined that for the first five-year period the amendments will be in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the proposed amendments.

Ms. Lee also has determined that for each year of the first five years the rule is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the rule will be to help the Board protect the public. There will be no effect on small businesses. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the rule as proposed.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Brenda Skiff, Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, 333 Guadalupe, Suite 2-450, Austin, TX 78701, (512) 305-7700.

The amendments are proposed under Texas Occupations Code, Title 3, Subtitle I, Chapter 501, which provides the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists with the authority to make all rules, not inconsistent with the Constitution and Laws of this State, which are reasonably necessary for the proper performance of its duties and regulations of proceedings before it.

No other code, articles or statutes are affected by this section.

§465.14.Misuse of Licensees' Services.

(a) Licensees decline to offer services when limitations or conditions are placed on their work by the patient, client, [ patient or client ] or third parties which could foreseeably cause the licensee to violate a Board rule.

(b) (No change.)

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 10, 2007.

TRD-200701803

Sherry L. Lee

Executive Director

Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists

Earliest possible date of adoption: June 24, 2007

For further information, please call: (512) 305-7706


22 TAC §465.15

The Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists proposes amendments to §465.15, concerning Fees and Financial Arrangements. The amendments are being proposed to clarify the rule.

Sherry L. Lee, Executive Director, has determined that for the first five-year period the amendments will be in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the proposed amendments.

Ms. Lee also has determined that for each year of the first five years the rule is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the rule will be to help the Board protect the public. There will be no effect on small businesses. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the rule as proposed.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Brenda Skiff, Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, 333 Guadalupe, Suite 2-450, Austin, TX 78701, (512) 305-7700.

The amendments are proposed under Texas Occupations Code, Title 3, Subtitle I, Chapter 501, which provides the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists with the authority to make all rules, not inconsistent with the Constitution and Laws of this State, which are reasonably necessary for the proper performance of its duties and regulations of proceedings before it.

No other code, articles or statutes are affected by this section.

§465.15.Fees and Financial Arrangements.

(a) General Requirements.

(1) - (3) (No change.)

(4) In reporting their services to third-party payers, licensees accurately state the nature, date and fees for [ amount of ] the services provided, [ the fees, ] and the identity of the person(s) [ individual(s) ] who actually provided the services.

(b) Ethical and Legal Requirements. [ Aspects. ]

(1) - (3) (No change.)

(4) Licensees do not receive payments from or divide fees with another health care provider in exchange for professional referrals.

(5) A licensee does not participate in bartering if it is clinically contra-indicated [ contraindicated ] or if bartering [ the relationship ] has the potential to create an exploitative or harmful dual relationship.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 10, 2007.

TRD-200701804

Sherry L. Lee

Executive Director

Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists

Earliest possible date of adoption: June 24, 2007

For further information, please call: (512) 305-7706


22 TAC §465.16

The Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists proposes amendments to §465.16, concerning Evaluation, Assessment, Testing, and Reports. The amendments are being proposed to clarify the rule.

Sherry L. Lee, Executive Director, has determined that for the first five-year period the amendments will be in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the proposed amendments.

Ms. Lee also has determined that for each year of the first five years the rule is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the rule will be to help the Board protect the public. There will be no effect on small businesses. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the rule as proposed.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Brenda Skiff, Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, 333 Guadalupe, Suite 2-450, Austin, TX 78701, (512) 305-7700.

The amendments are proposed under Texas Occupations Code, Title 3, Subtitle I, Chapter 501, which provides the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists with the authority to make all rules, not inconsistent with the Constitution and Laws of this State, which are reasonably necessary for the proper performance of its duties and regulations of proceedings before it.

No other code, articles or statutes are affected by this section.

§465.16.Evaluation, Assessment, Testing, and Reports.

(a) Scope and Purpose.

(1) Licensees clearly describe the scope and purpose of evaluation, assessment, and testing to patients before they provide these psychological services. [ Before performing evaluations, testing and assessments, licensees clearly define the purposes and scope to the subject(s) of the evaluations, testing and/or assessments. ]

(2) Licensees produce reports that clearly state and accurately reflect the scope and purpose of evaluation, assessment, and testing. [ Licensees produce reports consistent with and which clearly state the purpose and scope of the evaluations, testing and/or assessments. ]

(b) Reliability and Validity.

(1) Licensees verify, by signature and date, that every evaluation, assessment, test result, report, recommendation, or psychological diagnostic or evaluative statement produced is based on information and techniques sufficient to provide appropriate substantiation for its findings. [ Licensees produce or co-sign only assessments, recommendations, reports or psychological diagnostic or evaluative statements that are based on information and techniques sufficient to provide appropriate substantiation for the findings. ]

(2) - (5) (No change.)

(c) - (d) (No change.)

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 10, 2007.

TRD-200701805

Sherry L. Lee

Executive Director

Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists

Earliest possible date of adoption: June 24, 2007

For further information, please call: (512) 305-7706


22 TAC §465.17

The Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists proposes amendments to §465.17, concerning Therapy and Counseling. The amendments are being proposed to clarify the rule and to require that treatment plans be in writing.

Sherry L. Lee, Executive Director, has determined that for the first five-year period the amendments will be in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the proposed amendments.

Ms. Lee also has determined that for each year of the first five years the rule is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the rule will be to help the Board protect the public. There will be no effect on small businesses. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the rule as proposed.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Brenda Skiff, Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, 333 Guadalupe, Suite 2-450, Austin, TX 78701, (512) 305-7700.

The amendments are proposed under Texas Occupations Code, Title 3, Subtitle I, Chapter 501, which provides the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists with the authority to make all rules, not inconsistent with the Constitution and Laws of this State, which are reasonably necessary for the proper performance of its duties and regulations of proceedings before it.

No other code, articles or statutes are affected by this section.

§465.17.Therapy and Counseling.

(a) (No change.)

(b) Treatment plans.

(1) Licensees create specific written treatment plans that include, at a minimum, agreed upon goals of the treatment, the techniques to be used, and the tentative duration of the treatment for any therapy or counseling that they provide.

(2) - (3) (No change.)

(4) Licensees confer with and obtain consent from the patient, or client or other recipient(s) of services [ recipient(s) ] concerning significant alterations in the treatment plan in accordance with Board rule 465.11(a)(2) [ 465.11(b) ].

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 10, 2007.

TRD-200701806

Sherry L. Lee

Executive Director

Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists

Earliest possible date of adoption: June 24, 2007

For further information, please call: (512) 305-7706


22 TAC §465.18

The Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists proposes amendments to §465.18, concerning Forensic Services. The amendments are being proposed to clarify the rule and add a new provision concerning forensic testimony on child visitation.

Sherry L. Lee, Executive Director, has determined that for the first five-year period the amendments will be in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the proposed amendments.

Ms. Lee also has determined that for each year of the first five years the rule is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the rule will be to help the Board protect the public. There will be no effect on small businesses. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the rule as proposed.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Brenda Skiff, Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, 333 Guadalupe, Suite 2-450, Austin, TX 78701, (512) 305-7700.

The amendments are proposed under Texas Occupations Code, Title 3, Subtitle I, Chapter 501, which provides the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists with the authority to make all rules, not inconsistent with the Constitution and Laws of this State, which are reasonably necessary for the proper performance of its duties and regulations of proceedings before it.

No other code, articles or statutes are affected by this section.

§465.18.Forensic Services.

(a) (No change.)

(b) Limitation on Services.

(1) A licensee shall refrain from rendering a written or oral professional opinion about any matter for which the licensee lacks appropriate knowledge, competency, and data. [ A licensee who is asked to provide an opinion concerning an area or matter about which the licensee does not have the appropriate knowledge and competency to render a professional opinion shall decline to render that opinion. ]

(2) - (5) (No change.)

(c) Describing the Nature of Services. A licensee must adhere to the requirements of Board rule 465.11 for provision of informed consent, and in addition, must specifically inform the patient, client, or other recipient(s) of forensic psychological services of the following: [ Licensees who interview or examine an individual for purposes of providing forensic services must first inform the individual of the specific purpose of the interview or examination, the party on whose behalf they are performing the services, the use to which the information gathered will be put and who will have access to the results. If there are multiple parties, the psychologist must obtain written informed consent from all adult participants unless informed consent is precluded by court order. All participants must be made aware of the purpose and scope of the evaluation, who has requested the service, and who will be paying fees. Psychologists also inform parties on limits to confidentiality where the engagement involves testimony. ]

(1) The specific purpose and scope of the interview, examination, or evaluation;

(2) The identity of the party who requested the psychologist's services;

(3) The identity of the party who will pay the psychologist's fees and the estimated amount of the fees;

(4) The type of information sought and the uses for information gathered;

(5) The people or entities who will have access to the results;

(6) The manner of delivery of any reports or written results;

(7) The approximate length of time required to produce any reports or written results;

(8) Applicable limits on confidentiality; and

(9) Whether the psychologist will likely be called to provide testimony based on the report or written results in a court of law.

(d) (No change.)

(e) Child Visitation.

(1) A licensee who provides therapy and/or counseling to a child must limit forensic testimony to statements for which the licensee has sufficient basis pursuant to Board rule 465.10.

(2) Prior to stating a visitation recommendation, a licensee must include a statement as to all pertinent limitations pursuant to rule 465.16(c).

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 10, 2007.

TRD-200701808

Sherry L. Lee

Executive Director

Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists

Earliest possible date of adoption: June 24, 2007

For further information, please call: (512) 305-7706


Chapter 471. RENEWALS

22 TAC §471.5

The Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists proposes amendments to §471.5, concerning Updated Information Requirements. The amendments are being proposed to make a grammatical correction to the rule.

Sherry L. Lee, Executive Director, has determined that for the first five-year period the amendments will be in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the proposed amendments.

Ms. Lee also has determined that for each year of the first five years the rule is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the rule will be to help the Board protect the public. There will be no effect on small businesses. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the rule as proposed.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Brenda Skiff, Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, 333 Guadalupe, Suite 2-450, Austin, TX 78701, (512) 305-7700.

The amendments are proposed under Texas Occupations Code, Title 3, Subtitle I, Chapter 501, which provides the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists with the authority to make all rules, not inconsistent with the Constitution and Laws of this State, which are reasonably necessary for the proper performance of its duties and regulations of proceedings before it.

No other code, articles or statutes are affected by this section.

§471.5.Updated Information Requirements.

Each licensee shall provide the following information when renewing his/her license each year:

(1) If the licensee has ever been arrested, indicted [ indicated ], or convicted of any criminal offense which the licensee has not previously reported to the Board;

(2) - (7) (No change.)

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 10, 2007.

TRD-200701809

Sherry L. Lee

Executive Director

Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists

Earliest possible date of adoption: June 24, 2007

For further information, please call: (512) 305-7706


Part 31. TEXAS STATE BOARD OF EXAMINERS OF DIETITIANS

Chapter 711. DIETITIANS

22 TAC §711.2

The Texas State Board of Examiners of Dietitians (board) proposes an amendment to §711.2, concerning the licensing and regulation of dietitians. Specifically, the amendment covers late renewal fees.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The proposed amendment relates to late renewal fees required by statutory changes to the Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 701, by House Bill 1155, passed during the 79th Legislature, Regular Session, 2005.

SECTION-BY-SECTION SUMMARY

The amendment to §711.2 reflects the change in the method of calculating the late renewal fee in accordance with Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 701, specifically §701.301(d). The statute provides that a person whose license has been expired for 90 days or less may renew the license by paying to the board a fee that is equal to 1-1/4 times the amount of the renewal fee. The statute further provides that if a person's license has been expired for more than 90 days, but less than one year, the person may renew the license by paying to the board a fee that is equal to 1-1/2 times the amount of the renewal fee. The late renewal fees are proposed for adjustment to comply with the statutory directive.

FISCAL NOTE

Bobbe Alexander, Executive Secretary, has determined that for each year of the first five years the section is in effect, there will be fiscal implications to state government as a result of enforcing or administering the section as proposed. There will be a decrease in general revenue of $4130 each year of the first five years the section is in effect. There will be no fiscal implications to local government.

SMALL AND MICRO-BUSINESS IMPACT ANALYSIS

Ms. Alexander has also determined that there will be no economic costs to small businesses or micro-businesses. This was determined by interpretation of the rule that these entities will not be required to alter their business practices to comply with the section as proposed. The rule relates to individuals who are licensed as dietitians, and there are no anticipated economic costs to persons who are required to comply with the section as proposed. There is no anticipated negative impact on local employment.

PUBLIC BENEFIT

Ms. Alexander has also determined that for each year of the first five years the section is in effect, the public will benefit from adoption of the section. The public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing or administering the section is to effectively regulate the practice of dietetics in Texas, which will protect and promote public health, safety, and welfare, and to ensure that statutory directives are carried out.

REGULATORY ANALYSIS

The board has determined that this proposal is not a "major environmental rule" as defined by Government Code, §2001.0225. "Major environmental rule" is defined to mean a rule the specific intent of which is to protect the environment or reduce risk to human health from environmental exposure and that may adversely affect, in a material way, the economy, a sector of the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment or the public health and safety of a state or a sector of the state. This proposal is not specifically intended to protect the environment or reduce risks to human health from environmental exposure.

TAKINGS IMPACT ASSESSMENT

The board has determined that the proposed amendment does not restrict or limit an owner's right to his or her property that would otherwise exist in the absence of government action and, therefore, does not constitute a taking under Government Code, §2007.043.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Bobbe Alexander, Executive Secretary, State Board of Examiners of Dietitians, Department of State Health Services, 1100 West 49th Street, Austin, Texas 78756 or by email to: dietitian@dshs.state.tx.us. When e-mailing comments, please indicate "Comments on Proposed Rules" in the e-mail subject line. Comments will be accepted for 30 days following publication of the proposal in the Texas Register.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

The proposed amendment is authorized by the Texas Occupations Code, §701.152, which authorizes the board to adopt rules necessary for the performance of the board's duties.

The proposed amendment affects the Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 701.

§711.2.The Board's Operation.

(a) - (q) (No change.)

(r) Fees.

(1) Schedule of fees for licensure as a dietitian:

(A) application (includes two year initial license) fee--$108;

(B) license fee for upgrade of provisional licensed dietitian--$20;

(C) renewal fee: an initial regular license or a renewal regular license--$90;

[ (i) for license issued for a one-year term--$45;]

[ (ii) for license issued for a two-year term--$90;]

[ (D) late renewal fee for license issued for a one-year term:]

[ (i) $107.50 when renewed on or within 90 days of expiration;]

[ (ii) $170.00 when renewed later than 90 days but less than one year;]

(D) [ (E) ] late renewal fee [ for license issued for a two-year term ]:

(i) $112.50 [ $152.50 ] when renewed on or within 90 days of expiration;

(ii) $135.00 [ $215.00 ] when renewed later than 90 days but less than one year.

(2) Schedule of fees for licensure as a temporary licensed dietitian:

(A) application (includes initial license) fee--$54;

(B) license certificate and identification card replacement fee--$20;

(3) Schedule of fees for licensure as a provisional licensed dietitian:

(A) application (includes initial license) fee--$54;

(B) renewal fee for license issued for a one-year term--$45;

(C) late renewal fee;

(i) [ (D) ] $56.25 [ $107.50 ] when renewed on or within 90 days of expiration;

(ii) [ (E) ] $67.50 [ $170.00 ] when renewed later than 90 days but less than one year;

(4) Additional fees for licensure as a dietitian, temporary licensed dietitian, and a provisional licensed dietitian:

(A) application processing fee for preplanned professional experience approval--$300;

(B) inactive status fee--$20;

(C) license reinstatement fee following suspension under the Family Code--$80;

(D) written verification of licensure fee--$25; and

(E) returned check fee--$25.

(5) - (12) (No change.)

(s) (No change.)

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 14, 2007.

TRD-200701857

Janet Hall

Acting Chair

Texas State Board of Examiners of Dietitians

Earliest possible date of adoption: June 24, 2007

For further information, please call: (512) 458-7111 x6972