House Status:
Senate Status:
Senate Status:
Minutes for HB2734 - Committee on Health and Human Services
Short Title
Reinstating the social worker applicant option for board-approved postgraduate supervised experience and allowing master's and clinical level licensees to take the baccalaureate addiction counselor test.
Minutes Content for Mon, Mar 14, 2022
David Fye, Executive Director, Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board (BSRB), provided testimony in support of HB2734 (Attachment 1). The bill is intended to address unintended consequences of an amendment that was added to enact Senate Sub for HB2208 in 2021. Regarding Section 1, the amendment deleted a requirement of 350 hours of direct client hours within a clinical practicum as part of a requirement to become a Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker, The amendment struck the phrase "with not less than 350 hours of direct client contact or additional postgraduate supervised experience as determined by the Board". Prior to the amendment, the BSRB could evaluate applicants who had undergone a different type of practicum, such as an administrative one. According to the legal team, the Board can no longer do this. HB2734 adds back the phrase "or additional postgraduate supervised experience as determined by the Board". If the bill is passed, the Board will pursue clarifying language in regulation to enable additional applicants to become Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Workers. In Section 2 of the bill, there is language enabling additional individuals a path to become Licensed Addiction Counselors. HB2734 would allow current master's level or clinical level practitioners under the BSRB to test for a Licensed Addiction Counselors license, increasing the number of Addiction Counselors providing services. The bill will allow additional mental health professionals to obtain licensure without sacrificing public protection.
Michelle Ponce, Associate Director, Association of Community Mental Health Centers of Kansas (CMHC), provided testimony in support of HB2734 (Attachment 2). The bill will address workforce shortages in the state. The CMHCs currently have a combined staff of over 5,000, but have a 20% vacancy rate. The bill will lessen the burden on qualified clinical staff seeking licensure, thus encouraging them to stay and work in Kansas. This will expand and enhance the CMHC workforce.
The following provided proponent written only testimony:
Nickaila Sandate, CEO, EmberHope Youthville (Attachment 3)
The hearing on HB2734 was closed.
