SB 415 - This act creates the State Committee of Social Workers (Committee), which shall guide, advise and make recommendations on social worker issues to the Division of Professional Registration (Division). This act also creates the practice of Baccalaureate Social Work.

The Committee, which shall consist of seven members, shall guide, advise and make recommendations to the Division, approve any examination, assist the Division in carrying out provisions and fulfill other responsibilities under this act. The Governor, after giving a member written notice and an opportunity to be heard, may remove a Committee member for misconduct, incompetency or neglect of the member's duties. Each member shall receive compensation set by the Committee not to exceed fifty dollars for each day devoted to Committee affairs, and shall be reimbursed for expenses. The Committee shall hold an annual meeting to elect a chair and secretary, and upon giving members three days notice, may hold additional meetings as required.

A person holding himself or herself out to be a Clinical Social Worker or Licensed Social Worker, or uses names or abbreviations implying the same, who does not have a valid current license as a Clinical Social Worker is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor.

No provision prevents a graduate student who is enrolled in an accredited school of social work and is preparing for the practice of Clinical Social Work, or a graduate of such an accredited school who is registered with the Committee, from engaging in clinical social work under acceptable supervision.

Any money remaining in the Clinical Social Workers Fund on the effective date shall be transferred to the State Social Workers Fund.

Sections 1-8 of this act also create the practice of Baccalaureate Social Work, which is the supervised application of case work, group work, and client centered advocacy in an agency setting, but does not include clinical social work, counseling or psychotherapy.

No person shall use the title, Registered Baccalaureate Social Worker, nor shall a person practice Baccalaureate Social Work unless the person is registered, although certain persons may engage in such practice without being registered.

The Committee shall establish applicant qualifications for Baccalaureate Social Work registration, provide for time, content and procedures for examinations, determine which applicants have passed the exam and issue the registration certificate, issue temporary permits to persons awaiting examination, and establish registration fees, which shall not substantially exceed the cost and expense of administering Sections 1-8 of this act. Money collected shall be deposited in the State Social Worker's Fund established in Section 337.612, and, upon appropriation by the General Assembly, shall be used for the sole purpose of administering the provisions of Sections 1-8 of this act.

Baccalaureate Social Work registrations shall be renewed every 24 months. Each registrant shall provide proof of completion of continuing education requirements along with the renewal application.

The Committee may refuse to issue a certificate of registration, or to renew a lapsed registration, if a complaint is filed with the Administrative Hearing Commission (Commission) under Chapter 621, for any one or any combination of certain causes.

No Baccalaureate Social Worker shall have an ownership interest in the agency where the registrant practices, nor shall the registrant establish a private, autonomous, independent baccalaureate social work practice in Missouri.

Persons registered under Sections 1-8 of the act have a duty not to disclose, and cannot be compelled to disclose, information obtained from persons consulting them in their professional capacity, with certain exceptions.

Any person, organization, association or corporation who, in good faith, reports or provides information to the Committee shall not be subject to an action for civil damages.

After a complaint is filed, proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with provisions of chapter 621, RSMo. If the Commission finds that there are grounds for disciplinary action, then the Committee may censure or place the person on probation for up to five years, suspend for up to three years, or revoke registration.

Violation of sections 1-8 of this act dealing with registered Baccalaureate Social Workers is a Class B misdemeanor.

This bill is similar to part of HCS/HB 1209 from 1994.
MARGARET TOALSON