The Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists proposes an amendment to rule §463.27, Temporary License for Persons Licensed in Other States.

Overview and Explanation of the Proposed Rule Amendment. The proposed amendment is necessary to ensure that only actively licensed individuals in other jurisdictions may apply for temporary licensure. As currently written, the rule would allow an individual with an inactive license, but who otherwise meets the requirements of the rule, to receive a temporary license. The Board believes this represents an unreasonable risk of harm to the public because inactive license requirements vary and do not necessarily require a licensee to maintain his or her competence through professional development. Generally speaking, it is only once a licensee elects to return his or her license to active status that steps must then be taken to ensure the individual is current on professional development and thus competent to practice. Without this proposed amendment, an applicant from another jurisdiction with an inactive license, who would be precluded from practicing in his or her home state, can deliver services via a temporary license in Texas without the competency assurances afforded by professional development.

Fiscal Note. Darrel D. Spinks, Executive Director of the Board, has determined that for the first five-year period the proposed rule amendment is in effect, there will be no additional estimated cost, reduction in costs, or loss or increase in revenue to the state or local governments as a result of enforcing or administering the rule. Additionally, Mr. Spinks has determined that enforcing or administering the rule does not have foreseeable implications relating to the costs or revenues of state or local government.

Public Benefit. Mr. Spinks has determined for the first five-year period the proposed rule amendment is in effect, there will be a benefit to licensees and the general public because the proposed rule amendment will provide greater clarity in the Board's rules. Mr. Spinks has also 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.

Probable Economic Costs. Mr. Spinks has determined for the first five-year period the proposed rule amendment is in effect, there will be no additional economic costs to persons required to comply with this rule.

Small Business, Micro-Business, and Rural Community Impact Statement. Mr. Spinks has determined for the first five-year period the proposed rule amendment is in effect, there will be no adverse effect on small businesses, micro-businesses, or rural communities.

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis for Small and Micro-Businesses and Rural Communities. Mr. Spinks has determined that the proposed rule amendment will have no adverse economic effect on small businesses, micro-businesses, or rural communities. Thus, the Board is not required to prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis pursuant to §2006.002 of the Tex. Gov't. Code.

Local Employment Impact Statement. Mr. Spinks has determined that the proposed rule amendment will have no impact on local employment or a local economy. Thus, the Board is not required to prepare a local employment impact statement pursuant to §2001.022 of the Tex. Gov't. Code.

Requirement for Rules Increasing Costs to Regulated Persons. The proposed amendment does not impose any new or additional costs to regulated persons, state agencies, special districts, or local governments, Therefore, pursuant to §2001.0045 of the Tex. Gov't Code, no repeal or amendment of another rule is required to offset any increased costs. Additionally, no repeal or amendment of another rule is required because the proposed rule amendment is necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the residents of this state and because regulatory costs imposed by the Board on licensees is not expected to increase.

Government Growth Impact Statement. For the first five-year period the proposed rule is in effect, the Board estimates that the proposed rule amendment will have no effect on government growth. The proposed rule amendment does not create or eliminate a government program; it does not require the creation or elimination of employee positions; it does not require the increase or decrease in future legislative appropriations to this agency; it does not require an increase or decrease in fees paid to the agency; it does not create a new regulation; it does not expand or repeal an existing regulation, it amends and clarifies an existing regulation; it does not increase or decrease the number of individuals subject to the rule's applicability; and it does not positively or adversely affect the state's economy.

Takings Impact Assessment. Mr. Spinks has determined that there are no private real property interests affected by the proposed rule amendment. Thus, the Board is not required to prepare a takings impact assessment pursuant to §2007.043 of the Tex. Gov't Code.

Request for Public Comments. Comments on the proposed rule amendment may be submitted to Brenda Skiff, Public Information Officer, Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, 333 Guadalupe, Ste. 2-450, Austin, Texas 78701, within 30 days of publication of this proposal in the Texas Register. Comments may also be submitted via fax to (512) 305-7701, or via email to Open.Records@tsbep.texas.gov.

The Board specifically invites comments from the public on the issues of whether or not the proposed amendment will have an adverse economic effect on small businesses; if the proposed rule is believed to have an adverse effect on small businesses, estimate the number of small businesses believed to be impacted by the rule, describe and estimate the economic impact of the rule on small businesses, offer alternative methods of achieving the purpose of the rule; then explain how the Board may legally and feasibly reduce that adverse effect on small businesses considering the purpose of the statute under which the proposed rule is to be adopted, finally describe how the health, safety, environmental and economic welfare of the state will be impacted by the various proposed methods. See §2006.002(c) and (c-1) of the Tex. Gov't. Code.

Statutory Authority. The rule amendment is proposed under Tex. Occ. 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.

Additionally, the Board proposes this rule amendment pursuant to the authority found in §501.151(a) of the Tex. Occ. Code which vests the Board with the authority to adopt rules necessary to perform its duties and regulate its proceedings.

The Board also proposes this amendment pursuant to §501.263 of the Tex. Occ. Code which grants the Board the authority to issue a temporary license, as well as adopt rules regarding the requirements for a temporary license.

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