HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3215        FILED ON: 1/16/2015

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 157

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Paul Brodeur

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act to enhance consumer protection and transparency under the social work licensing law.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3215        FILED ON: 1/16/2015

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 157

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Eighty-Ninth General Court
(2015-2016)

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An Act to enhance consumer protection and transparency under the social work licensing law.

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 130 of chapter 112 of the General Laws, is hereby amended by striking out the definition "Licensed social work associate".

      SECTION 2. Paragraph 2 of section 131 of said chapter 112 is hereby

amended by striking out said paragraph and inserting in place thereof the

following:--

      Any individual desiring to obtain a license as a social worker shall

make an application therefor to the board upon such form and in such manner as the board shall prescribe and shall furnish evidence satisfactory to the board that he/she has received a baccalaureate degree, master’s degree or doctoral degree in social work from an accredited educational institution. Said individual shall also furnish evidence satisfactory to the board that he/she has passed an examination prepared by the board for this purpose; and will conduct their activities as a social worker in accordance with generally accepted professional standards.

      SECTION 3. Said section 131 of said chapter 112 is hereby further amended by striking out paragraphs four and five.

      SECTION 4. Paragraph 1 of section 132 of said chapter 112 is hereby

amended by striking out the first sentence thereof and inserting in place thereof the following:  “Examinations for licensed certified social workers, including those in independent clinical practice, and licensed social workers shall be conducted at least two times per year at times and places designated by the board”.

      SECTION 5. Paragraph 2 of section 133 of said chapter 112 is hereby

amended by striking out the words:-- “or a licensed social work associate".

      SECTION 6. Said section 134 of said chapter 112 is hereby amended by striking out paragraph three.

      SECTION 7. Paragraph 1 of section 136 of said chapter 112 is hereby

amended by striking out the second sentence thereof and inserting in place thereof the following:-- “The license of licensed certified social workers, including those engaged in independent clinical practice, and licensed social workers shall expire on a date to be determined by the board”.

      SECTION 8. Notwithstanding any provision of this Act to the contrary, an individual having a license as a social worker or as a social work associate prior to the effective date of this Act shall continue to hold and may renew such license under the terms and conditions of chapter 112, sections 130 through 136, in effect immediately prior to such effective date.

      SECTION 9. For a period of six months following the effective date of

this Act, any individual making application to be a licensed social work associate shall be considered for licensure by the board under the provisions of chapter 112, section 131, paragraph two in effect immediately prior to such effective date.