The Texas Society for Clinical Social Work retains a lobbyist/attorney who works for our client's interests and for the social work profession in the Texas legislature. Two important bills were passed in the 2003 session:

• The "prompt pay" bill which facilitates reimbursement to providers in a timely way.

• The Social Work Practice Act that created three categories of social work licensure: LBSW, LMSW, and LCSW. The effect of these changes is that as of September 1, 2004, anyone wanting to practice social work in the state of Texas must have a social work degree from an accredited school of social work.

In 2005 the Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners, the board that regulates the practice of social work in the state of Texas, underwent sunset review by the Texas State Legislature. This review takes place approximately every ten years and involves extensive information gathering and assessment before the Sunset staff submits a recommendation to the Legislature on whether the board or agency under review should be continued, modified, or abolished. TSCSW played an active role in assuring the result of the Sunset review;  that the Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners will continue as an independent board regulating the practice of social work in the State of Texas.