Amendment ID: S2572-9-R1

Redraft Amendment 9

Defining clinical social work practice

Messrs. Lesser, O'Connor and Collins move that the proposed new draft be amended by inserting after section 22 the following 2 sections:-

“SECTION 22A. Section 130 of Chapter 112 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out the definition of “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; provided, however, that the scope of clinical social work practice shall include, but not be limited to: (i) assessment, evaluation, psychotherapy and counseling for individuals, families, and groups; (ii) client-centered advocacy, consultation and supervision; and (iii) case management services; provided further, that the practice of clinical social workers shall be within an ecological and ethically-principled framework in the areas of competence that their education and training reflects; and provided further, that “clinical social work practice” shall be  multi-systemic, trauma-informed and committed to public health and well-being.

SECTION 22B. Section 133 of said chapter 112, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 8 and 9, the words “the independent practice of clinical social work” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- clinical social work practice.”.