Texas legislation · 89th Legislature Regular Session
Texas SB646: Relating to repayment of certain mental health professional education loans.
Status: Signed into law, June 22, 2025
What the bill says
An act relating to repayment of certain mental health professional education loans.
From the enrolled text, May 29, 2025:
AN ACT relating to repayment of certain mental health professional education loans. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 61.601, Education Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 61.601. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "mental health professional" means: (1) a licensed physician who is: (A) a graduate of an accredited psychiatric residency training program; or (B) certified in psychiatry by: (i) the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology; or (ii) the American Osteopathic Board of Neurology and Psychiatry; (2) a psychologist, as defined by Section 501.002, Occupations Code; (3) a licensed professional counselor, as defined by Section 503.002, Occupations Code; (4) an advanced practice registered nurse, as defined by Section 301.152, Occupations Code, who holds a nationally recognized board certification in psychiatric or mental health nursing; (5) a licensed clinical social worker, as defined by Section 505.002, Occupations Code; (6) a licensed specialist in school psychology, as defined by Section 501.002, Occupations Code; (7) a chemical dependency counselor, as defined by Section 504.001, Occupations Code; [[DELETED: and]] (8) a licensed marriage and family therapist, as defined by Section 502.002, Occupations Code[] [ADDED: (9)][ADDED: ][ADDED: ][ADDED: a licensed master social worker, as defined by ] [] [ADDED: (10)][ADDED: ][ADDED: ][ADDED: a person who holds a licensed professional ] [ADDED: counselor associate license issued by …
Sponsors
- Royce West (D, SD-023) · primary sponsor
- Cesar Blanco (D, SD-029)
- Jose Menendez (D, SD-026)
- Charlene Ward Johnson (D, HD-139)
- Rafael Anchia (D, HD-103)
Latest actions
- : Effective on 9/1/25
- : Signed by the Governor
- : Sent to the Governor
- : Signed in the House
- : Signed in the Senate
- : Reported enrolled
- : House passage reported
- : Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
- : Record vote (RV#3941)
- : Passed
Votes
- Higher Education Committee Vote (Out of committee): 9 yea, 2 nay, passed
- Education K-16 Committee Vote (Out of committee): 10 yea, 1 nay, passed
- Record vote RV#3941 (May 28, 2025): 75 yea, 58 nay, passed
- Record vote RV#3684 (May 27, 2025): 70 yea, 63 nay, passed
- Rules suspended-Regular order of business (April 30, 2025): 23 yea, 8 nay, passed
- Read 3rd time (April 30, 2025): 25 yea, 6 nay, passed
Subjects: State Finances--Management & Control, Education--Higher--Student Financial Aid, COUNSELING & THERAPY, PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS, MARRIAGE & FAMILY COUNSELING & COUNSELORS, STUDENT LOANS, Health Care Providers, Mental Health & Substance Abuse
Common questions
- What is SB646?
- SB646 is a bill in the Texas Legislature (89th Legislature Regular Session): Relating to repayment of certain mental health professional education loans.
- What does SB646 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to repayment of certain mental health professional education loans.
- What is the status of SB646?
- Signed into law as of June 22, 2025. Latest action: Effective on 9/1/25 (June 22, 2025).
- Who sponsored SB646?
- Royce West (D, SD-023), with 4 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB646?
- On the Texas Legislature website: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB00646
Source: official Texas record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.