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Minutes for HB2484 - Committee on Public Health and Welfare
Short Title
Enacting the social work licensure compact to provide interstate practice privileges for social workers.
Minutes Content for Mon, Mar 18, 2024
Chairperson Gossage opened the hearing on HB2484.
Eileen Ma, Staff Revisor gave an overview of the bill. (Attachment 1) She took questions from committee members.
Representative Susan Ruiz gave proponent testimony. (Attachment 2) She stated that HB2484 would help regulated social workers at all three levels provide services to clients in every state that joins the compact. Social workers would be able to continue to see their clients if they relocate to a compact state. The compact will also benefit military members and/or their spouses to keep their state license a when they move to another state. The multi-state license will benefit licensing authorities by being able to access rapid information on licensees and disciplinarian actions and it preserves state sovereignty.
Becky Fast testified in support of the bill (Attachment 3) She said that HB2484 will allow social workers to provide continuity of care across state lines, including through telehealth platforms, without the cost and burden of seeking additional state-specific licenses. The Social Work Compact is a long-term solution to address the issues of licensure portability, practice across state lines, and workforce shortages in behavioral health.
David Fye gave testimony supporting HB2484 (Attachment 4) He stated that the Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board is glad to be a proponent of the Social Work Multi-State Compact, as it is consistent with the public protection mission of the Board, it will provide greater continuity of care to clients, it will provide greater mobility to licensees, and it will otherwise address workforce concerns.
Questions were asked by committee members.
Proponent, written only testimony was submitted by:
Lesa Patterson-Kinsey, MSW, Prairie Village (Attachment 5)
Tim Davis, PhD, LSCSW, Professor & Chair, Fort Hays State University (Attachment 6) (Attachment 7)
Michelle Richart, Midwest Regional Liaison, United States Department of Defense (Attachment 8)
Shara Ragan, LMSW, Director of Care Management, AdventHealth (Attachment 9)
Wendy Funk Schrag, LMSW, ACSW, Vice President of State Govt Affairs, Fresenius Medical Care (Attachment 10)
Lisa Potter, LSCSW, Lawrence, KS (Attachment 11)
Will Hoerl, Individual (Attachment 12)
Gigi Tsontos, LSCSW, MPA, ACC (Attachment 13)
Carol Meza-Bakke, PhD, LMSW, Social Work Field Director, Pittsburg State University (Attachment 14)
Ryan Speier, COO, Ingegrated Psychiatric Consultants (Attachment 15)
Phelica Glass, LSCSW, LLC (Attachment 16)
Stefanie Metzer, LSCSW, Olathe, KS (Attachment 17)
Kristen Humphrey, PhD, LMSW, Director, Social Work Program, Pittsburgh State University (Attachment 18)
Chairperson Gossage closed the hearing on HB2484.
