SB 358 – Specifies that licensed professional counseling includes the diagnosis of mental, emotional, and behavior disorders and allows the committee for professional counselors to require certain education or training in diagnostic skills

• Sponsor: Wasson
• LR Number: 1805S.01I
• Committee: Financial and Governmental Organizations and Elections
• Last Action: 3/28/2011 - SCS Voted Do Pass S Financial and Governmental Organizations and Elections Committee - (1805S.04C)
• Effective Date: August 28, 2011

Current Bill Summary

SCS/SB 358 -This act specifies that licensed professional counseling includes diagnosing, counseling, preventing, and ameliorating of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders.

Beginning on August 28, 2013, any professional counselor who gives a diagnosis subject to this act is required to provide evidence of completion of a three hour course in diagnosis and assessment of people with mental and emotional disorders. This requirement will not apply to licensed professional counselors who were previously required to complete a three hour course in diagnostic skills.

The committee for professional counselors is required to maintain a public list of licensed professional counselors who have met this three hour course requirement, or who completed a three hour course in diagnostic skills.

This act is similar to SB 295 (2009).

EMILY KALMER