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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fifth Legislature, Second Regular Session
AMENDED
licensed mental health professional; definition
Purpose
Adds to the individuals who qualify to provide employer-paid traumatic event counseling for public safety employees. Extends the delayed repeal dates on traumatic event counseling for public safety employees and for peace officers and firefighters by four years until January 1, 2027.
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 public safety employee as: 1) an individual who is a member of the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System or the Corrections Officer Retirement Plan; or 2) a probation officer, surveillance officer or juvenile detention officer who is employed by the State of Arizona or a political subdivision of Arizona. Public safety employee does not include peace officers or firefighters. Additionally, 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).
The State of Arizona or a political subdivision must also establish a program to provide peace officers and firefighters 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 (A.R.S. § 38-673).
The statutes governing traumatic event counseling for public safety employees and for peace officers and firefighters are set to repeal on January 1, 2023 (Laws 2016, Ch. 240; Laws 2018, Ch. 259).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
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 dates on traumatic event counseling for public safety employees and for peace officers and firefighters by four years until January 1, 2027.
3. Makes conforming changes.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Amendments Adopted by Committee
Amendments Adopted by Conference Committee
· Extends the delayed repeal date on traumatic event counseling for peace officers and firefighters 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 3rd Read 3/24/22 27-0-3
Prepared by Senate Research
April 7, 2022
JT/sr