AN ACT INCREASING CONSUMER ACCESS TO LICENSED MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPISTS.
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, as appearing in the 2010 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out the last paragraph 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 or a licensed marriage and family therapist within the lawful scope of practice for such therapist.
SECTION 2. Subsection (i) of section 47B of chapter 175 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out the second paragraph 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 or a licensed marriage and family therapist within the lawful scope of practice for such therapist.
SECTION 3. Subsection (i) of section 8A of chapter 176A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out the second paragraph 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 or a licensed marriage and family therapist within the lawful scope of practice for such therapist.
SECTION 4. Subsection (i) of section 4A of chapter 176B of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out the second paragraph 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 or a licensed marriage and family therapist within the lawful scope of practice for such therapist.
SECTION 5. Subsection (i) of section 4M of chapter 176G of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out the second paragraph 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 or a licensed marriage and family therapist within the lawful scope of practice for such therapist.
Approved, October 11, 2012.