HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2380 FILED ON: 2/17/2021
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2384
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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
James J. O'Day
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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 define clinical social work practice.
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PETITION OF:
Name: | District/Address: | Date Added: |
James J. O'Day | 14th Worcester | 2/17/2021 |
Erika Uyterhoeven | 27th Middlesex | 3/8/2021 |
Thomas M. Stanley | 9th Middlesex | 4/6/2021 |
Carmine Lawrence Gentile | 13th Middlesex | 4/22/2021 |
Jack Patrick Lewis | 7th Middlesex | 5/26/2021 |
Tram T. Nguyen | 18th Essex | 10/25/2021 |
Steven C. Owens | 29th Middlesex | 10/25/2021 |
Brian M. Ashe | 2nd Hampden | 11/15/2021 |
Richard M. Haggerty | 30th Middlesex | 12/7/2021 |
Tommy Vitolo | 15th Norfolk | 1/19/2022 |
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2380 FILED ON: 2/17/2021
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2384
By Mr. O'Day of West Boylston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2384) of James J. O'Day, Erika Uyterhoeven and Thomas M. Stanley for legislation to define clinical social work practice. 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 to define clinical social work practice.
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, as so appearing in the 2018 General Laws, is hereby amended by striking out the definition “The independent practice of clinical social work” and inserting in place thereof the following definition:-
“Clinical social work practice”, social work performed by Master's level social workers applying evidence informed theories and methods in the comprehensive assessment and treatment of cognitive, affective, and behavioral disorders and distress arising from physical, environmental, psychological, emotional or relational conditions. The scope of clinical social work practice includes, but is not limited to: assessment; evaluation; psychotherapy and counseling for individuals, families, and groups; client-centered advocacy; consultation and supervision; and case management services. Clinical social workers practice within an ecological and ethically-principled framework in the areas of competence their education and training reflects. Social work practice is multi-systemic, trauma-informed, and committed to public health and well-being. Social work’s commitment to racial, economic, and social justice is central to the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics.