Brief(1)
H.B. 2033 standardizes the terminology used in the statutes that govern the licensing and practice of professional counselors, marriage and family therapists, and masters level psychologists to describe the type of license that may be issued to an applicant who has fulfilled all the requirements for licensure except passage of the required examination or the completion of required postgraduate training as a temporary license. Currently, the statutes governing persons licensed by the Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board refer to both temporary licenses and temporary permits.
The bill also authorizes the issuing of a temporary license to Ph.D. psychologists who have completed requirements for licensure except for the examination or supervised post-doctoral work experience. The Senate Committee amendments authorize such temporary licenses to be issued for up to two years.
The House Committee amendment adds to those eligible for a temporary license as a professional counselor persons who are waiting to take the required examination.
The Senate Committee of the Whole amended H.B. 2033 to require pastoral counseling as one of the areas of graduate hours that must be completed to be eligible for a license as a professional counselor.
Background
H.B. 2033 was introduced at the request of the Task Force on Providers of Mental Health Services as a result of Task Force deliberations during the 1998 interim. See Report of the Task Force on Mental Health Services to the 1999 Legislature, pages 4 and 5. In the Committee hearing on H.B. 2033, the bill was supported by a representative of the Mental Health Credentialing Coalition and a representative of the Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board.
The fiscal note on H.B. 2033 indicates an expenditure of between $2,800 and $3,300 in FY 2000 to amend the rules and regulations affected by the bill. Expenditures would be from the Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board Fee Fund.
1. *Supplemental notes are prepared by the Legislative Research Department and do not express legislative intent. The supplemental note and fiscal note for this bill may be accessed on the Internet at http://www.ink.org/public/legislative/bill_search.html.