Assigned to COM                                                                                                AS PASSED BY COMMITTEE

 

 

 

 


ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Fifty-Fifth Legislature, Second Regular Session

 

AMENDED

FACT SHEET FOR h.b. 2336

 

licensed mental health professional; definition

Purpose

Adds to the individuals who qualify to provide employer-paid traumatic event counseling for public safety employees.

Background

The State of Arizona or a political subdivision must establish a program to provide public safety employees who are exposed to specified traumatic events while in the course of duty up to 12 visits of licensed counseling, which may be provided via telemedicine and be paid for by the employer. Statute defines licensed counseling as counseling provided by a mental health professional licensed by the Arizona Board of Psychologist Examiners or the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners with training and expertise in treating trauma (A.R.S. § 38-672).

               There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.

Provisions

1.   Adds to the individuals who qualify to provide licensed counseling by defining licensed mental health professional as an individual who specializes in trauma and crisis, who uses
evidence-based treatment options and is:

a)   a psychiatrist who is licensed by the Arizona Medical Board or the Arizona Board of Osteopathic Examiners in Medicine and Surgery;

b)   a psychologist who is licensed by the Arizona Board of Psychologist Examiners;

c)   a mental health professional who is licensed by the Arizona Board of Behavior Health Examiners and holds either a master's or doctoral degree related to the mental health profession;

d)   a mental health nurse practitioner or a psychiatric clinical nurse specialist who is licensed by the Arizona Board of Nursing; or

e)   a physician assistant who is licensed by the Arizona Regulatory Board of Physician Assistants.

2.   Extends the delayed repeal date on traumatic event counseling for public safety employees by four years until January 1, 2027.

3.   Makes conforming changes.

4.   Becomes effective on the general effective date.

Amendments Adopted by Committee

· Extends the delayed repeal date on traumatic event counseling for public safety employees by four years until January 1, 2027.

House Action                                                           Senate Action

MAPS             2/7/22        DPA       15-0-0-0          COM               3/2/22        DPA       9-0-0

3rd Read           2/17/22                     58-0-2

Prepared by Senate Research

March 7, 2022

JT/CY/sr