HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3647 FILED ON: 2/19/2021
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2342
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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Kathleen R. LaNatra
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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 creating an entry-level licensing program to allow applicants to practice under supervision prior to becoming a licensed mental health counselor.
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PETITION OF:
Name: | District/Address: | Date Added: |
Kathleen R. LaNatra | 12th Plymouth | 2/19/2021 |
Brian M. Ashe | 2nd Hampden | 2/26/2021 |
Josh S. Cutler | 6th Plymouth | 2/26/2021 |
Brian W. Murray | 10th Worcester | 2/26/2021 |
Norman J. Orrall | 12th Bristol | 2/26/2021 |
Michael P. Kushmerek | 3rd Worcester | 3/2/2021 |
Susannah M. Whipps | 2nd Franklin | 3/2/2021 |
Jonathan D. Zlotnik | 2nd Worcester | 3/6/2021 |
Kimberly N. Ferguson | 1st Worcester | 6/24/2021 |
Jack Patrick Lewis | 7th Middlesex | 6/25/2021 |
Marcos A. Devers | 16th Essex | 7/30/2021 |
Edward R. Philips | 8th Norfolk | 9/7/2021 |
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3647 FILED ON: 2/19/2021
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2342
By Mrs. LaNatra of Kingston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2342) of Kathleen R. LaNatra and others for legislation to establish an entry-level licensing program to allow applicants to practice under supervision prior to becoming licensed mental health counselors. Public Health. |
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Second General Court
(2021-2022)
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An Act creating an entry-level licensing program to allow applicants to practice under supervision prior to becoming a licensed mental health counselor.
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 163 of said chapter 112, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after the definition of “Licensed mental health counselor,” the following definition:-
“Licensed supervised mental health counselor”, a person licensed or eligible for license under section 165.
SECTION 2. Section 164 of said chapter 112, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after the word “consultant”, in line 7, the following words:- or licensed supervised mental health counselor, advisor or consultant.
SECTION 3. Section 165 of said chapter 112, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after the word “health”, in line 16, the following words:- or the department of public health.
SECTION 4. Said section 165 of said chapter 112, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by adding the following 3 paragraphs:-
The board may issue a license to an applicant as a supervised mental health counselor; provided, however, that each applicant, in addition to complying with clauses (1) and (2) of the first paragraph, shall provide satisfactory evidence to the board that the applicant: (i) demonstrates to the board the successful completion of a master’s degree in a relevant field from an educational institution licensed by the state in which it is located and meets national standards for granting of a master’s degree with a sub-specialization in counseling, or a relevant sub-specialization approved by the board; and (ii) has successfully passed a board-approved examination.
A supervised mental health counselor shall practice under supervision of a clinician in a clinic or hospital licensed by the department of mental health or the department of public health or accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals or in an equivalent center or institute or under the direction of a supervisor approved by the board.
The board shall promulgate rules and regulations specifying the required qualifications of the supervising clinician.