Bill H.3566

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3594 FILED ON: 2/22/2011

HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 3566

By Mrs. Haddad of Somerset, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Patricia A. Haddad and others for legislation to include licensed rehabilitation counselors in the definition of licensed mental health professionals. Financial Services

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand Eleven

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An act improving access to rehabilitation counseling.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1. Section 22 of Chapter 32A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2008 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking the final paragraph and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:—

For the purposes of this section, “licensed mental health professional” shall mean a licensed physician who specializes in the practice of psychiatry, a licensed psychologist, a licensed independent clinical social worker, a licensed mental health counselor, a licensed nurse mental health clinical specialist, or a licensed rehabilitation counselor.

SECTION 2. Section 47B of Chapter 175 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2008 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking the second paragraph in subsection (i) and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:—

SECTION 3. Section 8A of Chapter 176A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2008 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking the second paragraph in subsection (i) and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:—

SECTION 4. Section 4A of Chapter 176B of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2008 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking the second paragraph in subsection (i) and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:—

SECTION 5. Section 4M of Chapter 176G of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2008 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking the second paragraph in subsection (i) and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:— For the purposes of this section, “licensed mental health professional” shall mean a licensed physician who specializes in the practice of psychiatry, a licensed psychologist, a licensed independent clinical social worker, a licensed mental health counselor, a licensed nurse mental health clinical specialist, or a licensed rehabilitation counselor.