The Alabama Senate State Government Affairs Committee voted to advance legislation allowing certain highly trained social workers to diagnose mental illnesses.
House Bill 56 (HB56) is sponsored by State Representative Frances Holk-Jones. HB56 passed in the House 104 to 1.
Holk-Jones explained that “Alabama is currently the only state that does not allow” these highly trained social workers to diagnose mental illness.
“We are losing these social workers to other states,” Holk-Jones said.
“This allows people to get diagnosed and treatment without traveling to see a medical professional,” Holk-Jones continued.
Holk-Jones said that this would also enable people to get treatment via telehealth.
Sen. Dan Roberts asked, “Is this the same bill that Senator Coleman Madison had that we passed out?”
Holk-Jones said yes.
The Senate version is SB109. SB109 has passed the Senate and has been referred to the House Health Committee.
Sen. Robert Stewart said, “I want to say that I have a therapist. He is out of Maryland.”
Stewart expressed his support for the bill and telehealth.
Sen. Merika Coleman asked, “Has there been any pushback at all?”
Holk-Jones answered, “No.”
State Sen. Tom Butler chairs the Senate State Governmental Affairs Committee.
The legislation expands the scope of practice of a licensed independent clinical social worker, including the authority to diagnose and develop treatment plans. “The scope of practice does not include the diagnosis, treatment, or provision of advice to a client for problems or complaints relating to conditions outside the boundaries of the practice of social work.”
The legislation states that no individual may engage in the independent clinical practice of social work unless they satisfy all of the following:
(1) Licensed is licensed under this chapter as a licensed independent clinical social worker; and.
(2) Has a doctorate or master’s degree from a school of social work approved, accredited, or in candidacy granted by the Council on Social Work Education; and.
(3) Has had two years of full-time or three years of part-time postgraduate experience under appropriate supervision in the specified social work method or four years of full-time or five years of part-time postgraduate experience under appropriate supervision in the specialty in which the applicant will practice.
(4) Has passed an examination prepared by the board for this purpose; except that prior to the time that an examination is prepared by the board for this purpose, no person individual who otherwise meets the requirements of this section will be prohibited from engaging in the private independent practice of social work; and.
(5) Has been issued by mail a certified letter of certification stating his or her qualification for private independent practice by the board; and.
(6) Has paid an initial certification fee set by the board.
“The terms diagnose and treatment, whether considered in isolation or in conjunction with the rules of the board, may not be construed to permit the performance of any act which a licensed clinical social worker is not educated or trained to perform including, but not limited to, any of the following:
(1) Administering and interpreting psychological tests or intellectual, neuropsychological, personality, or projective instruments.
(2) Admitting any individual to a hospital for treatment of any condition that is outside the boundaries of the practice of social work, as provided in subsection (b).
(3) Treating any individual in a hospital setting without medical supervision.
(4) Prescribing medicinal drugs.
(5) Authorizing clinical laboratory procedures or radiological procedures.
(6) Using electroconvulsive therapy.
The state of Alabama has a significant shortage of mental health professionals.
The Committee voted to give HB56 a favorable report without amendment. It could be considered by the full Senate as early as Tuesday.
Through Friday, 618 bills have been introduced in the legislative session. Tuesday will be day 14 of the 2023 Alabama Regular Legislative Session.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
