3-A.__Licensed bachelor social worker.__The board may issue a conditional license or a license to an applicant who meets the requirements set out in this subsection.

A.__Requirements for a conditional license for a licensed bachelor social worker include:

(1)__Documented proof of a bachelor's degree in social work or social welfare from an institution in candidacy for accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education or a successor organization;

(2)__Three letters of professional recommendation written within one year of receipt by the board, 2 of which are provided by licensed social workers from any state;

(3)__Evidence of employment in a social service delivery field;

(4)__Evidence of an arrangement of consultation to be provided by one of the following:

(a)__A licensed bachelor social worker with at least 5 years' experience;

(b)__A licensed master social worker;

(c)__A licensed clinical social worker; or

(d)__A certified social worker - independent practice.

A licensed bachelor social worker employed in a mental health setting must receive consultation from a licensed master social worker, licensed clinical social worker or a certified social worker - independent practice;

(5)__Payment of the application and license fee; and

(6)__Demonstration to the satisfaction of the board adherence to the ethics of the social worker profession.

B.__Requirements for a licensed bachelor social worker include:

(1)__Documented proof of a bachelor's degree in social work or social welfare from an accredited educational institution.__If an applicant providers documented proof of a bachelor's degree in social work or social welfare from a program in candidacy for accreditation with the Council of Social Work Education or a successor organization, then the applicant must provide documented proof of 96 hours of consultation provided by a licensed bachelor social worker with at least 5 years' experience, a licensed master social worker, a licensed clinical social worker or a certified social worker - independent practice.__This consultation must be concurrent with 3,200 hours of social work employment occurring in a period not less than 2 years but not more than 4 years;

(2)__An applicant with less than 2 years of social work employment must provide evidence of an arrangement of consultation provided by:

(a)__A licensed bachelor social worker with at least 5 years' experience;

(b)__A licensed master social worker;

(c)__A licensed clinical social worker; or

(d)__A certified social worker - independent practice;

A licensed bachelor social worker employed in a mental health setting must receive consultation from a licensed master social worker, licensed clinical social worker or a certified social worker - independent practice;

(3)__Documentation of successfully passing the required examination;

(4)__Three letters of professional recommendation written within one year of receipt by the board of which 2 are provided by social workers licensed in any state. If the applicant is conditionally licensed as a licensed bachelor social worker, one recommendation must be from the consultant to the applicant's conditional license;

(5)__Evidence of employment in a social service delivery field;

(6)__Payment of the application and license fee; and

(7)__Demonstration to the satisfaction of the board adherence to the ethics of the social worker profession.

Sec. 5. 32 MRSA §7053-A, sub-§1, as amended by PL 1987, c. 395, Pt. B, §15, is further amended to read:

1. Licensed master social worker. Any licensed master social worker may:

A. Engage in administration, research, consultation, social planning and teaching related to the functions in this section;

B. Perform all the functions of a licensed social worker and licensed bachelor social worker; and

C. Engage in a nonclinical private practice.

In addition, a licensed master social worker having met the requirements for licensure as a licensed clinical social worker prior to January 1, 1987, except for having completed the licensed clinical social worker examination, may engage in the clinical consultation of licensed master social worker, conditional for the purpose of preparing the licensed master social worker, conditional for eventual licensed clinical social workers' status or regular licensure. This includes responsibility for ongoing training and evaluation. The licensed master social worker has an obligation to assess the licensed master social worker, conditional's competence and ethics and share this assessment with the Board of Social Work Licensure at the time the licensed master social worker applies for the licensed clinical level.

In addition to paragraphs A, B and C, a person holding a "licensed master social worker, conditional" license may engage in psychosocial evaluation, including diagnosis and treatment of mental illness and emotional disorders, and provide clinical consultation to licensed social workers, licensed bachelor social workers, social work students, other professionals practicing related professions and paraprofessionals engaging in related activities.

A "licensed master social worker, conditional" may not engage in private clinical practice, unless permitted under section 7053, subsection 1, and must receive individual consultation 4 hours a month while practicing social work in a clinical setting.

Sec. 6. 32 MRSA §7053-A, sub-§5 is enacted to read:

5.__Licensed bachelor social worker.__A licensed bachelor social worker may:

A.__Engage in psychosocial evaluation, excluding the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness, and conduct basic data gathering of records and specific life issues of individuals, groups and families, assess this data and formulate and implement a plan to achieve specific goals related to specific life issues;

B.__Serve as an advocate for clients or groups of clients for the purpose of achieving specific goals relating to specific life issues;

C.__Refer clients to other professional services;

D.__Plan, manage, direct or coordinate social services; and

E.__Participate in training and education of social work students from an accredited educational institution or an educational institution in candidacy for accreditation with the Council on Social Work Education or a successor organization and supervise other licensed bachelor social workers.

A licensed bachelor social worker may not engage in the private practice of social work, diagnose mental illness and emotional disorders or provide psychotherapy.__A licensed bachelor social worker with less than 2 years' experience must receive consultation from either a licensed bachelor social worker with at least 5 years experience, a licensed master social worker, a licensed clinical social worker or a certified social worker - independent practice in a manner to be prescribed by the board on a group or individual basis 4 hours a month.__A licensed bachelor social worker employed in a mental health setting must receive consultation from a licensed master social worker, a licensed clinical social worker or a certified social worker - independent practice.

Sec. 7. 32 MRSA §7054-A, first ¶, as enacted by PL 1985, c. 736, §14, is amended to read:

A person holding a certificate of registration or license under the laws of another state, territory or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia or of any foreign country, which that is the equivalent of a license as a licensed clinical, licensed master, licensed bachelor or licensed social worker under this chapter who, in the opinion of the board, meets

the requirements of this chapter, based upon verified evidence may, upon application, be licensed without further examination.

Sec. 8. 32 MRSA §7056, first ¶, as amended by PL 1985, c. 736, §16, is further amended to read:

Application for license as a licensed clinical, licensed master, licensed bachelor or licensed social worker shall must be on a form prescribed and furnished by the board. An application fee and an examination fee may be established by the board in amounts which that are reasonable and necessary for their respective purposes. All fees shall must accompany the application.

Sec. 9. 32 MRSA §7056, 2nd ¶, as amended by PL 1987, c. 113, §2, is further amended to read:

The license fee for a licensed social worker shall or a licensed bachelor social worker must be established by the board in an amount not to exceed $70.

Sec. 10. 32 MRSA §7059, sub-§1, ¶¶A, B and D, as amended by PL 1985, c. 736, §18, are further amended to read:

A. The practice of fraud or deceit in obtaining a license under this chapter or in connection with service rendered as a licensed clinical, licensed master, licensed bachelor or licensed social worker or certified social worker - independent practice;

B. Addiction, as confirmed by medical findings, to the use of alcohol or other drugs, which that has resulted in the licensed clinical, licensed master, licensed bachelor or licensed social worker or certified social worker - independent practice being unable to perform his professional duties or perform those duties in a manner which would not endanger the health or safety of the clients to be served;

D. Aiding or abetting a person not duly licensed in representing himself that person as a licensed clinical, licensed master, licensed bachelor or licensed social worker or certified social worker - independent practice in this State;

Sec. 11. 32 MRSA §7060, as amended by PL 1993, c. 659, Pt. A, §8, is further amended by adding at the end a new paragraph to read:

In addition to the other requirements of this section, a licensed bachelor social worker must provide documentation of 96 hours of consultation during the first 3,200 hours of social work employment in a period not less than 2 years but not more than 4 years.

SUMMARY

This bill creates the position of licensed bachelor social worker and establishes standards and educational requirements for the position.