Sec. 82.023. DECLARATION OF INTENTION TO STUDY LAW. (a) Each person intending to apply for admission to the bar must file with the Board of Law Examiners, on a form provided by the board, a declaration of intention to study law.

(b) The form for the declaration must clearly identify those conditions of character and fitness that may be investigated by the board and that may result in the denial of the declarant's application to take the examination.

(c) The board shall notify each first-year law student who files the declaration not later than the date established by supreme court rule of the board's decision as to the student's acceptable character and fitness. The board shall notify all other declarants not later than the date established by supreme court rule whether or not it has determined that the declarant has acceptable character and fitness.

(d) If the board determines that an applicant does not have acceptable character and fitness, the notice of the decision must be accompanied by an analysis of the character investigation that specifies in detail the results of the investigation. The analysis must include an objective list of actions the applicant may take to become qualified for a license to practice law.

(e) If the board determines that an applicant may suffer from chemical dependency, the board shall require the applicant to meet with representatives of the Lawyers' Assistance Program of the State Bar of Texas or a similar program of the state bar and may require the applicant to submit to evaluation by a licensed mental health professional designated by this board. The board may seek advice and consultation from the Lawyers' Assistance Program of the State Bar of Texas or a similar program of the state bar in designating mental health professionals qualified to conduct evaluations of declarants who may suffer from chemical dependency.

(f) If the board determines that an applicant suffers from chemical dependency, the board shall assist the applicant in working with the Lawyers' Assistance Program of the State Bar of Texas or a similar program of the state bar.

(g) Repealed by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 532 (S.B. 303), Sec. 11, eff. September 1, 2017.

Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 148, Sec. 3.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1987. Amended by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 576, Sec. 6, eff. Sept. 1, 1991.

Amended by:

Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 532 (S.B. 303), Sec. 6, eff. September 1, 2017.

Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 532 (S.B. 303), Sec. 11, eff. September 1, 2017.