Sec. 61.607. AMOUNT OF REPAYMENT ASSISTANCE. (a) A mental health professional may receive repayment assistance under this subchapter for each year the mental health professional establishes eligibility for the assistance in an amount determined by applying the following applicable percentage to the maximum total amount of assistance allowed for the mental health professional under Subsection (b):

(1) for the first year, 10 percent;

(2) for the second year, 15 percent;

(3) for the third year, 20 percent;

(4) for the fourth year, 25 percent; and

(5) for the fifth year, 30 percent.

(b) The total amount of repayment assistance received by a mental health professional under this subchapter may not exceed:

(1) $160,000, for assistance from the state received by a licensed physician;

(2) $80,000, for assistance from the state received by:

(A) a psychologist;

(B) a licensed clinical social worker, if the social worker has received a doctoral degree related to social work;

(C) a licensed professional counselor, if the counselor has received a doctoral degree related to counseling; or

(D) a licensed marriage and family therapist, if the marriage and family therapist has received a doctoral degree related to marriage and family therapy;

(3) $60,000, for assistance from the state received by an advanced practice registered nurse;

(4) $40,000, for assistance from the state received by a licensed clinical social worker, a licensed marriage and family therapist, or a licensed professional counselor who is not described by Subdivision (2); and

(5) $10,000, for assistance from the state received by a licensed chemical dependency counselor, if the chemical dependency counselor has received an associate degree related to chemical dependency counseling or behavioral science.

(c) The total amount of repayment assistance provided under this subchapter may not exceed the sum of:

(1) the total amount of gifts and grants accepted by the board for the repayment assistance;

(2) legislative appropriations for the repayment assistance; and

(3) other funds available to the board for the repayment assistance.

(d) The board may adjust in an equitable manner the distribution amounts that mental health professionals would otherwise receive under Subsection (a) for a year as necessary to comply with Subsection (c).

Added by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 322 (S.B. 239), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2015.

Amended by:

Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 891 (H.B. 3083), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2017.

Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1101 (H.B. 3808), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2017.

Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 467 (H.B. 4170), Sec. 5.030, eff. September 1, 2019.