HB4311 - Relating to required reintegration therapy coursework and training for certain mental health professionals.

      By: Toth H.B. No. 4311       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to required reintegration therapy coursework and training   for certain mental health professionals.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  This Act may be cited as the Reintegration   Therapy Training Act of 2025.          SECTION 2.  The legislature finds that:                (1)  mental health professionals require comprehensive   training to effectively address the complexities associated with   identity confusion and gender dysphoria;                (2)  reintegration therapy is essential for assisting   individuals, particularly minors, who experience difficulties   after attempting to transition socially or medically from their   sex; and                (3)  there is a need for specialized training in   reintegration therapy to better support individuals experiencing   alienation from self and familial conflicts due to identity issues   and gender dysphoria.          SECTION 3.  Subchapter F, Chapter 51, Education Code, is   amended by adding Section 51.306 to read as follows:           Sec.   51.306.     REINTEGRATION THERAPY COURSEWORK. (a)   In   this section:                 (1)     "Coordinating board" means the Texas Higher   Education Coordinating Board.                 (2)     "Institution of higher education" has the meaning   assigned by Section 61.003.                 (3)     "Mental health professional" has the meaning   assigned by Section 61.601.                 (4)     "Reintegration therapy" means therapeutic   practices designed to assist an individual who has undergone or   considered social or medical transition from the individual's sex,   focusing on alleviating distress over the individual's sex and   fostering reconciliation with the reality of biological sex.           (b)     Each institution of higher education that offers a   mental health professional degree program shall require students   enrolled in the program to complete a course of instruction on   reintegration therapy.   The coordinating board, in consultation   with the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council, by rule shall   prescribe the curriculum and other requirements for the course.     The curriculum must cover:                 (1)     alienation from self and resulting psychological   impacts;                 (2)     familial attention and strategies for   reconciliation;                 (3)     gender stereotypes and that stereotypes do not   determine an individual's sex;                 (4)  the binary reality of sex;                 (5)     coping strategies for individuals who feel a loss   of self due to attempts at social or medical transitioning; and                 (6)     other topics as determined by the coordinating   board related to the psychological, social, and medical   implications of social or medical transitioning, including but not   limited to the negative consequences of surgical intervention,   puberty blockers or other hormones, binding, and tucking.          SECTION 4.  Subchapter F, Chapter 507, Occupations Code, is   amended by adding Section 507.260 to read as follows:           Sec.   507.260.     REINTEGRATION THERAPY TRAINING.   (a)   A   license holder shall biennially complete three hours of continuing   education in reintegration therapy, as defined by Section 51.306,   Education Code.           (b)     The executive council may not renew the license of a   license holder who does not complete the training required by this   section.           (c)     A license holder may complete the training required by   this section:                 (1)     as part of any continuing education required by   the executive council under Section 507.157; and                 (2)  in more than one training session.          SECTION 5.  Section 51.306, Education Code, as added by this   Act, applies beginning with students initially enrolling in a   mental health professional degree program at a public institution   of higher education in the 2025-2026 academic year.          SECTION 6.  Section 507.260, Occupations Code, as added by   this Act, applies only to the renewal of a license or registration   permit on or after January 1, 2027.          SECTION 7.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.