The Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council adopts the repeal of §681.141, relating to General Continuing Education Requirements; §681.142, relating to Acceptable Continuing Education; §681.143, relating to Activities Unacceptable as Continuing Education; and §681.145, relating to Determination of Clock-hours Granted. Sections 681.141, 681.142, 681.143, and 681.145 are repealed without changes to the proposed text as published in the December 16, 2022, issue of the Texas Register (47 TexReg 8228) and will not be republished.

Reasoned Justification.

These rules are repealed because these same requirements have been added to new §681.140, pertaining to requirements for continuing education, which is adopted elsewhere in this issue of the Texas Register .

List of interested groups or associations against the rule.

None.

Summary of comments against the rule.

None.

List of interested groups or associations for the rule.

None.

Summary of comments for the rule.

None.

Agency Response.

None.

Statutory Authority.

The repeal is adopted under Tex. Occ. Code, Title 3, Subtitle I, Chapter 507, which provides the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council 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 Executive Council adopts this repeal pursuant to the authority found in §507.152 of the Tex. Occ. Code which vests the Executive Council with the authority to adopt rules necessary to perform its duties and implement Chapter 507 of the Tex. Occ. Code.

In accordance with §503.2015 of the Tex. Occ. Code the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors previously voted and, by a majority, approved to propose the adoption this repeal to the Executive Council. The repeal is specifically authorized by §503.2015 of the Tex. Occ. Code which states the Board shall propose to the Executive Council rules regarding the qualifications necessary to obtain a license; the scope of practice, standards of care, and ethical practice; continuing education requirements for license holders; and a schedule of sanctions for violations of this chapter or rules adopted under this chapter.

The Executive Council also adopts this repeal in compliance with §507.153 of the Tex. Occ. Code. The Executive Council may not propose and adopt a rule or repeal regarding the qualifications necessary to obtain a license; the scope of practice, standards of care, and ethical practice for a profession; continuing education requirements; or a schedule of sanctions unless the rule or repeal has been proposed by the applicable board for the profession. In this instance, the underlying board has proposed this repeal to the Executive Council. Therefore, the Executive Council has complied with Chapters 503 and 507 of the Texas Occupations Code and may adopt this repeal.

Lastly, the Executive Council also adopts this repeal under the authority found in §2001.004 of the Tex. Gov't Code which requires state agencies to adopt rules of practice stating the nature and requirements of all available formal and informal procedures.