SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1728        FILED ON: 2/18/2021

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 677

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Anne M. Gobi

_________________

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 relative to increasing consumer access to licensed rehabilitation counselors.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

 

Anne M. Gobi

Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire and Middlesex

 

James B. Eldridge

Middlesex and Worcester

2/25/2021

Michael O. Moore

Second Worcester

3/5/2021


SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1728        FILED ON: 2/18/2021

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 677

By Ms. Gobi, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 677) of Anne M. Gobi, James B. Eldridge and Michael O. Moore for legislation relative to increase consumer access to licensed rehabilitation counselors.  Financial Services.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Second General Court
(2021-2022)

_______________

 

An Act relative to increasing consumer access to licensed rehabilitation counselors.

 

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, is hereby amended by striking out the last paragraph, as most recently amended by section 1 of chapter 80 of the acts of 2000, 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, a licensed marriage and family therapist or a licensed rehabilitation counselor within the lawful scope of practice for such therapist.

SECTION 2.  Section 47B of chapter 175 of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out the next to last paragraph, as most recently amended by section 2 of chapter 80 of the acts of 2000, 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, a licensed marriage and family therapist, or a licensed rehabilitation counselor within the lawful scope of practice for such therapist.

SECTION 3.  Section 8A of chapter 176A of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out the next to last paragraph, as most recently amended by section 4 of chapter 80 of the acts of 2000, 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, a licensed marriage and family therapist, or a licensed rehabilitation counselor within the lawful scope of practice for such therapist.

SECTION 4.  Section 4A of 176B of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out the next to last paragraph, as most recently amended by section 6 of chapter 80 of the acts of 2000, 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, a licensed marriage and family therapist, or a licensed rehabilitation counselor within the lawful scope of practice for such therapist.

SECTION 5.  Section 4M of 176G of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out the next to last paragraph, as most recently amended by section 10 of chapter 80 of the acts of 2000, 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, a licensed marriage and family therapist, or a licensed rehabilitation counselor within the lawful scope of practice for such therapist.