SB1246 - 532R - House Bill Summary

SB 1246: behavioral health board

PRIME SPONSOR: Senator Barto, LD 15

Legend:
Board – Board of Behavioral Health Examiners
DCS – Department of Child Safety
Amendments – BOLD and Stricken (Committee)

Abstract

Relating to the Board of Behavioral Health Examiners.

Provisions

1. Permits the Board to issue a license by endorsement if the person is licensed or certified by a federal jurisdiction. (Sec. 8)

2. Requires an applicant for licensure by endorsement to be licensed or certified in another jurisdiction at a substantially equivalent or higher practice level. (Sec. 8)

3. Removes the requirement that an applicant for licensure by endorsement must engage in the practice of behavioral health for at least 3600 hours during the five years preceding the application. (Sec. 8)

4. Removes the requirement that an applicant for licensure by endorsement take a licensure examination. (Sec. 8)

5. Removes the requirement that an applicant's listing of other licenses and certificates that is submitted to the Board be notarized. (Sec. 8)

6. Requires an applicant for licensure by endorsement to submit any other procedural application requirements adopted by rule to the Board. (Sec. 8)

7. Removes the requirement that an applicant for license renewal submit a full set of fingerprints for a criminal records check. (Sec. 11)

8. Requires a Board motion to initiate an investigation to:

a. Be made at an open and noticed meeting;

b. Include the basis for the meeting and the name of the Board member who made the motion; and

c. Be recorded. (Sec. 12)

9. Permits required written communications or notices to be transmitted or received by mail, electronic transmission, fax or hand delivery.

a. Prohibits communications or notices from being transmitted or received orally. (Sec. 1)

10. Requires the Board to establish fees by rule, rather than by a formal vote at a regular Board meeting. (Sec. 2)

11. Increases the time frame that a person may file a request for the Board to review the Director of the Board's actions regarding a complaint from 30 days to 35 days. (Sec. 3)

12. Allow Academic Review Committees to have more than two members that are:

a. Licensed in behavioral health; and

b. That have served as faculty at an accredited college or university within the previous 10 years. (Sec. 4)

13. Exempts persons practicing social work, counseling and case management for an agency licensed by DCS from licensure requirements. (Sec. 5)

14. Makes technical and conforming changes. (Sec. 1-4, 6-13)

Current Law

The Board is allowed to issue a license by endorsement to an individual who is licensed or certified in one or more states at an equivalent or higher level of practice and pays a Board prescribed fee. An applicant for licensure by endorsement must:

· Be currently licensed or certified and in good standing by the regulatory agency of one or more states;

· Have been licensed or certified in the same discipline for at least three years;

· Be engaged in providing behavioral health services for at least 3600 hours in the preceding five years prior to applying for a license by endorsement;

· Pass an examination;

· Meet statutory licensure requirements; and

· Submit a notarized affidavit that lists every jurisdiction in which the applicant has been licensed or certified and every disciplinary action that has been taken against the applicant. (A.R.S. § 32-3274)

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· Fifty-third Legislature SB 1246

· Second Regular Session Version 3: House Engrossed

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ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES