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Minutes for HB2484 - Committee on Health and Human Services
Short Title
Enacting the social work licensure compact to provide interstate practice privileges for social workers.
Minutes Content for Tue, Jan 23, 2024
Jenna Moyer, Office of the Revisor of Statutes, provided an overview of HB2484.
David Fye, Executive Director, Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board, provided testimony in support of HB2484 (Attachment 1). The board chose to support the compact, understanding that a few of the details for compliance would need to be worked out. Under the current model, a social worker wanting to provide services to individuals in multiple states would be required to obtain a license in each of those states. HB2484 would substantially change state licensure. Compact state members would gain authority to create a new "multi-state license" in addition to their "single-state" license. Going forward, this would allow Kansas social workers to decide which type of license they would like to apply for. The multi-state license would provide mobility, continuity of care to clients and provide telehealth services into other states. Mr. Fye reviewed current permanent license totals. The impact to revenue to the state was provide. It is suggested to charge higher fees for multi-state licenses to mitigate the loss of revenue which is estimated to be approximately $153,000 every two years. An issue that will need to be resolved prior to implementation is the requirement in the language of the Compact that applicants pass a background check including fingerprinting. The BSRB does not currently require fingerprinting. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation has been contacted and a solution will be determined. There will be a cost to applicants.
Mr. Fye responded to questions from the committee.
Kaitlyn, Bison, Council of State Government (CSG), provided testimony in support of HB2484 (Attachment 2). The CSG had facilitated the development process for all of the sixteen active occupational licensing compacts, including the eight the Kansas is a member. The Social Worker Licensure Compact seeks to provide licensees with opportunities for multi-state practice, supporting relocating practitioners, and foster workforce development by reducing unnecessary licensure burdens. The Compact was created in cooperation between the Department of Defense and the CSG. The Compact will enable social workers to obtain a multi-state license issued by their home state to practice in other states that join the compact. The Compact preserves the authority of each compact member state to protect public health and safety through the existing state regulatory structure.The BSRB has jurisdiction over anyone practicing in Kansas under a multi-state license. The Compact benefits military families who experience being assigned new duty stations. The Compact will be governed by a commission made up of member states. The Compact will come into effect once it is enacted in seven states. Currently only Missouri is the only member state. The Compact will increase license portability for social workers, support military families, and improve access to social work services for Kansas residents.
Becky Fast, Kansas Chapter Executive Director, National Association of Social Workers, provided testimony in support of HB2484 (Attachment 3). Kansas is contending with a shortage of mental health providers and an interstate compact will allow for practice mobility and remove barriers preventing social workers from providing continuity of care. The Compact will provide many benefits. They include continuity of care, increasing access to care, modernizing data sharing between states, simplifying current interstate licensure processes, enhancing mobility for social workers, and allowing military personnel and spouses to maintain their certifications when relocating.. The Social Work Compact is a long-term solution to the issue of license portability, practice across state lines and workforce shortages in behavioral health.
Ms. Fast responded to questions from the committee.
Wendy Funk Schrag, Vice President Sate Government Affairs, Fresenius Medical Care, provided testimony in support of HB2484 (Attachment 4). As an operator of 23 dialysis clinics we are required by Medicare and Medicaid to provide social work services to the patients. Currently we have social workers holding licenses in 3 or more states. This becomes burdensome with the licensure fees and continuing education. Covid 19 brought to a head the difficulty to bring in additional social workers into states to fill shortages. Many social workers provide services through telehealth. The Compact would be beneficial in this area.
Ms. Schrag responded to questions from the committee.
Stefanie Metzger, Private Citizen, provided testimony in support of HB2484 (Attachment 5). Ms. Metzger provides direct therapy services to individuals across the state via telehealth, in addition to providing coverage of "hard to fill" positions in the field. While providing clinical supervision of new therapists, the obvious negatives effects of the current licensure requirements on students is daunting. Ms. Metzger provided stories of when she could not provided support because a client was vacationing in another state. Technology has made wonderful advances that allow services to be provided to clients. It is especially beneficial in small and rural communities. State lines should not be a hindrance to providing services.
Ryan Speier, Chief Operating Officer, Integrated Psychiatric Consultants (IPC), provided testimony in support of HB2484 (Attachment 6). IPC is the largest private psychiatric service in Kansas with more than 70 psychiatric providers. Thousands of Kansans are served each year. Recruitment, hiring and retaining social workers in the state remains a challenge. While demand for services has increased, this often surpasses the number of providers. There are 150-200 new intakes per week. If the Compact is enacted, IPS's platform will be able to leverage our highly qualified base of clinicians to ensure patients have access to timely, meaningful, and affordable behavioral health care.
The following provided written only testimony:
Shara Ragan, Director of Care Management, AdventHealth Shawnee Mission (Attachment 7)
Dr. Kristin Humprey, Director of Social Work, Pittsburg State University (Attachment 8)
Dr. Tim Davis, Chair, Department of Social Work, Fort Hays State University (Attachment 9)
Dr. Carol Meza-Bakke, Social Work Field Director, Pittsburg State University (Attachment 10)
Gigi Tsontos, Private Citizen (Attachment 11)
Michelle Richart, Midwest Regional Liaison, United State Department of Defense, State Liaison Office (Attachment 12)
Ali Aeschliman, Private Citizen (Attachment 13)
Lisa Potter, Private Citizen (Attachment 14)
Rhonda Weimer, Private Citizen (Attachment 15)
Phelica Glass, Private Citizen (Attachment 16)
The hearing was closed.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:32 PM.
