Summary:

 House Bill 242 (HB 242):  The Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT) facilitates safe and regulated telepsychology services and temporary in-person practice across participating states. It establishes a governing commission, a coordinated licensure information system, and standardized credentialing requirements to protect public safety and improve access to psychological services. 

Legislation Overview:

 House Bill 242 (HB 242):  Below is an overview of the key provisions in the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT) as proposed in the bill:

1. Purpose & Scope (Article 1)
•	Facilitates Telepsychology: Allows licensed psychologists to provide services electronically (telepsychology) across state lines.
•	Authorizes Temporary In-Person Practice: Permits psychologists to practice face-to-face for up to 30 days per year in a state where they are not licensed.
•	Promotes Consistency: Aims to standardize requirements across member (“compact”) states, ensuring public safety while expanding service access.
2. Key Definitions (Article 2)
•	Telepsychology: Psychological services using telecommunication technologies.
•	Home State: The compact state where the psychologist is licensed and physically located when providing telepsychology services.
•	Receiving State: The compact state where the client is located during telepsychology services.
•	Distant State: A compact state where a psychologist practices in-person temporarily.
•	E.Passport: A credential from the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) required for telepsychology practice.
•	Interjurisdictional Practice Certificate: A credential from ASPPB required for temporary in-person practice.
3. Home State Licensure (Article 3)
•	Multiple Licenses: A psychologist may hold licenses in multiple compact states.
•	Conditions for Telepsychology Practice:  Must have an active E.Passport.
•	Undergo background checks (fingerprints or equivalent).
•	Must report adverse actions to the PSYPACT Commission database.
•	Conditions for Temporary In-Person Practice:  Must have an active Interjurisdictional Practice Certificate.
•	Same requirements for background checks and reporting adverse actions.
4. Telepsychology Practice (Article 4 & Article 6)
•	Authority to Practice:  Psychologists can practice telepsychology in receiving states without obtaining a separate license there, subject to maintaining their home state license and an E.Passport.
•	Receiving State’s Law:  Must follow the laws and regulations of each receiving state.
•	A receiving state may limit or revoke practice authority if it determines a violation of its laws or professional standards.
•	Scope of Practice:  Telepsychology is only authorized for the practice of psychology as defined by the receiving state’s regulations.
5. Temporary In-Person Practice (Article 5)
•	30-Day Limit:  Allows face-to-face practice for up to 30 days per calendar year in another compact state (distant state).
•	Requirements:  Must hold a valid home state license plus an Interjurisdictional Practice Certificate.
•	Must comply with the distant state’s laws and regulations.
•	State Control: A distant state can limit or revoke a psychologist’s temporary practice privileges if it finds violations of law or professional standards.
6. Enforcement & Adverse Actions (Articles 7 & 8)
•	Shared Disciplinary Authority: Home state can take action on the psychologist’s main license.
•	Receiving or distant states can restrict or revoke the psychologist’s privileges to practice under PSYPACT for that state.
•	Reporting & Investigation:  All adverse actions must be reported to the PSYPACT Commission.
•	Each compact state may investigate and impose disciplinary measures for conduct that occurs within its borders (in-person or via telepsychology).
7. Coordinated Licensure Information System (Article 9)
•	Central Database:  Maintained by the PSYPACT Commission, containing information about licensure status, disciplinary actions, and significant investigatory details for all psychologists practicing under the compact.
•	Data Sharing:  Compact states must submit licensure and disciplinary actions to the central system.  Certain data may be designated non-public, and expunged data must be removed.
8. PSYPACT Commission (Articles 10 & 11)
•	Establishment & Membership: One voting commissioner from each compact state.
•	Commissioners form a governing body (the “Commission”) and may create bylaws, promulgate rules, and oversee day-to-day operations of the compact.
•	Executive Board: Elected officers and one nonvoting ex-officio member from ASPPB manage administrative functions and finances.
•	Rulemaking Process: Rules have the force of law in all compact states once adopted.
•	Requires a public notice and comment period, plus potential public hearing.
•	Emergency rules may be enacted to address urgent threats to public health, safety, or finances.
9. Oversight & Dispute Resolution (Article 12)
•	State Enforcement: Each member state’s executive, legislative, and judicial branches must enforce PSYPACT and the Commission’s rules.
•	Default & Termination: If a state fails to meet its obligations under PSYPACT, it may be terminated from the compact after due notice and an opportunity to remedy.
•	Dispute Resolution: The Commission may mediate or initiate legal action to resolve disputes among compact states.
10. Implementation & Withdrawal (Article 13)
•	Effective Upon Enactment by Seventh State: The compact becomes operational once at least seven states have joined.
 

Current Law:

 There were no laws referring to "Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact" (PSYPACT).  The bill states this is "new material" relating to this proposal. 

Amendments:

 Amendment March 13, 2025, in HHSC.

HHSCa/HB 242:  The Human Health Services Committee has had House Bill 242 under consideration and recommendation it DO PASS, and thence referred to the JUDICIARY COMMITTEE.