HOUSE BILL 315
47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2005
INTRODUCED BY
Brian K. Moore
FOR THE LEGISLATIVE FINANCE COMMITTEE
AN ACT
RELATING TO LICENSURE; CHANGING REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS FOR SOCIAL WORKERS; EXPANDING LICENSE CLASSIFICATIONS; PROVIDING FOR BOARD IMMUNITY AND CONFIDENTIALITY.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:
Section 1. Section 61-31-3 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1989, Chapter 51, Section 3) is amended to read:
"61-31-3. DEFINITIONS.--As used in the Social Work Practice Act:
A. "advisory committee" means an evaluation advisory committee;
B. "appropriate supervision" means supervision by an independent social worker or a master social worker with two years of supervised social work practice experience or other supervision [which] that is deemed by the board to be equivalent to supervision by a master social worker;
C. "baccalaureate social worker" means a person who uses the title of social worker and has a bachelor's degree in social work from a program [accredited by the council on social work education] approved by the board;
D. "board" means the board of social work examiners;
E. "department" means the regulation and licensing department;
F. "executive agency" means any agency within the executive branch of government;
G. "independent social worker" means a person who uses the title of social worker and has a master's degree or a doctoral degree in social work from a [graduate school of social work accredited by the council on social work education] program approved by the board and who has had two years of postgraduate social work practice under appropriate supervision;
H. "master social worker" means a person who uses the title of social worker and has a master's degree or a doctoral degree in social work from a [graduate school of social work accredited by the council on social work education] program approved by the board; and
I. "professional code of ethics" means a code of ethics and rules adopted by the board, designed to protect the public and to regulate the professional conduct of social workers."
Section 2. A new section of the Social Work Practice Act, Section 61-31-4.1 NMSA 1978, is enacted to read:
"61-31-4.1. [NEW MATERIAL] UNLAWFUL PRACTICE.--
A. Except as otherwise provided in the Social Work Practice Act, it is unlawful for any person to engage in the practice of:
(1) baccalaureate social work unless duly licensed as a baccalaureate social worker under the applicable provisions of the Social Work Practice Act;
(2) master's social work unless duly licensed as a master social worker under the applicable provisions of the Social Work Practice Act; and
(3) clinical social work unless duly licensed as a clinical social worker under the applicable provisions of the Social Work Practice Act.
B. A person shall not offer social work services or use the designation social worker, licensed baccalaureate social worker, licensed master's social worker, licensed independent social worker or the initials LBSW, LMSW, LISW or LCSW or any other designation indicating licensure status or hold himself out as practicing social work as a baccalaureate social worker, master social worker or clinical social worker unless duly licensed as such.
C. The provisions of social work services to a person in this state through telephonic, electronic or other means, regardless of the location of the social worker, is subject to regulation.
D. Any person engaging in the practice of social work without first complying with the provisions of the Social Work Practice Act is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be sentenced pursuant to the provisions of Section 31-19-1 NMSA 1978.
E. Students currently participating in a social work program approved by the board are exempt from licensure under the Social Work Practice Act when completing internship, externship or other social work experience requirements for such programs.
F. A person licensed to practice social work in another jurisdiction who is providing services within the scope of practice designated by such license in response to a disaster declared by the appropriate authority or governor of this state may upon prior written notice to the board provide such services in this jurisdiction for a period of time not to exceed sixty consecutive days per year without applying for a license. The practitioner who provides services under this subsection shall be deemed to have submitted to the jurisdiction of the applicable board and be bound by the laws of this state."
Section 3. Section 61-31-7 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1989, Chapter 51, Section 7, as amended) is amended to read:
"61-31-7. BOARD CREATED.--
A. [There is created] The "board of social work examiners" is created.
B. The board shall be administratively attached to the department.
C. The board shall consist of seven members who are representative of the geographic and ethnic groups within New Mexico, who are United States citizens and who have been New Mexico residents for at least five years prior to their appointment. Of the seven members:
(1) four members shall have been engaged in social work practice for at least five years; at least two of the four shall hold a master's degree in social work; and at least two shall hold a bachelor's degree in social work from schools of social work that are [accredited by the council on social work education] approved by the board. At least one of these members shall be engaged primarily in clinical social work practice; one member shall be engaged primarily in education; one member shall be engaged primarily in administration or research in social work practice; and at least one member shall be engaged primarily in community organization, planning and development. These members shall not hold office in any professional organization of social workers during their tenure on the board; and
(2) three members shall represent the public. The public members shall not have been licensed or have practiced as social workers. Public members shall not have any significant financial interest, whether direct or indirect, in social work practice.
D. Members of the board shall be appointed by the governor for staggered terms of three years, except that, in making the initial appointments, three members shall be appointed for terms ending June 30, 1990; three members for terms ending June 30, 1991; and four members for terms ending June 30, 1992. Each member shall hold office until [his] that member's successor is appointed and qualified. Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as original appointments.
E. Except for the representatives of the public on the board, the governor shall appoint board members from a list of nominees submitted by social work organizations and individual social work professionals.
F. Members of the board shall be reimbursed as provided in the Per Diem and Mileage Act and shall receive no other compensation, perquisite or allowance.
G. The board shall elect a [chairman] chairperson and other officers as deemed necessary to administer its duties.
H. A simple majority of the board members currently serving shall constitute a quorum of the board.
I. The board shall meet at least once a year and at such other times as it deems necessary. Other meetings may be called by the [chairman] chairperson upon the written request of a quorum of the board.
J. The governor may remove any member from the board for the neglect of any duty required by law, for incompetence, for improper or unprofessional conduct as defined by board regulation or for any reason that would justify the suspension or revocation of [his] that member's license to practice social work.
K. [No] A board member shall not serve more than two consecutive terms, and any member failing to attend, after proper notice, three [executive] consecutive meetings shall automatically be removed as a board member, unless excused for reasons set forth in board regulations.
L. In the event of a vacancy for any reason, the board secretary shall immediately notify the governor and the board of the vacancy and the reason for its occurrence to expedite the appointment of a new board member within a six-month period."
Section 4. Section 61-31-8 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1989, Chapter 51, Section 8, as amended) is amended to read:
"61-31-8. BOARD'S AUTHORITY.--In addition to any authority provided by law, the board shall have the authority to:
A. adopt and file, in accordance with the State Rules Act, rules and regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of the Social Work Practice Act, in accordance with the provisions of the Uniform Licensing Act, including the procedures for an appeal of an examination failure;
B. select, prepare and administer, at least annually, written examinations for licensure [that shall include a testing of the knowledge of New Mexico cultures];
C. adopt a professional code of ethics;
D. appoint advisory committees pursuant to Section 61-31-19 NMSA 1978;
E. conduct hearings on an appeal of a denial of a license based on the applicant's failure to meet the minimum qualifications for licensure. The hearing shall be conducted pursuant to the Uniform Licensing Act;
F. require and establish criteria for continuing education;
G. issue subpoenas, statements of charges, statements of intent to deny licenses and orders and delegate in writing to a designee the authority to issue subpoenas, statements of charges and statements of intent to deny licenses and establish procedures for receiving, investigating and conducting hearings on complaints;
H. approve appropriate supervision for those persons seeking licensure as independent social workers;
I. issue provisional licenses and licenses based on credentials to persons meeting the requirements set forth in the Social Work Practice Act;
J. determine qualifications for licensure, including the requirement to demonstrate an awareness and knowledge of New Mexico cultures;
K. set fees for licenses as authorized by the Social Work Practice Act and authorize all disbursements necessary to carry out the provisions of the Social Work Practice Act; and
L. keep a record of all proceedings and shall make an annual report to the governor."
Section 5. A new section of the Social Work Practice Act, Section 61-31-8.1 NMSA 1978, is enacted to read:
"61-31-8.1. [NEW MATERIAL] ACTIONS OF BOARD--IMMUNITY-- CERTAIN RECORDS NOT PUBLIC RECORDS.--
A. A member of the board or a person working on behalf of the board shall not be civilly liable or subject to civil damages for any good faith action undertaken or performed within the proper functions of the board.
B. All written and oral communications made by a person to the board relating to actual or potential disciplinary action shall be confidential communications and are not public records for the purposes of the Public Records Act. All data, communications and information acquired by the board relating to actual or potential disciplinary action shall not be disclosed except:
(1) to the extent necessary to carry out the board's functions;
(2) as needed for judicial review of the board's actions; or
(3) pursuant to a court order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction.
C. Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection B of this section, at the conclusion of an actual disciplinary action by the board, all data, communications and information acquired by the board relating to an actual disciplinary action taken against a person subject to the provisions of the Social Work Practice Act shall be public records, pursuant to the provisions of the Public Records Act."
Section 6. Section 61-31-9 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1989, Chapter 51, Section 9) is amended to read:
"61-31-9. REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSURE.--
A. The board shall issue a license as a baccalaureate social worker to any person who files a completed application, accompanied by the required fees, and who submits satisfactory evidence that the applicant:
(1) has reached the age of majority;
(2) has at least a bachelor's degree in social work from a program [accredited by the council on social work education] approved by the board; and
(3) demonstrates professional competence by satisfactorily passing a written examination as prescribed by the board.
B. The board shall issue a license as a master social worker to any person who files a completed application, accompanied by the required fees, and who submits satisfactory evidence that the applicant:
(1) has reached the age of majority;
(2) has obtained a master's degree or a doctoral degree in social work from a graduate school of social work [accredited by the council on social work education] approved by the board; and
(3) demonstrates professional competence by satisfactorily passing a written examination as prescribed by the board.
C. The board shall issue a license as an independent social worker to any person who files a completed application, accompanied by the required fees, and who submits satisfactory evidence that the applicant:
(1) has reached the age of majority;
(2) has obtained a master's degree in social work from a graduate school of social work [accredited by the council on social work education] approved by the board;
(3) has two years of postgraduate social work practice as a licensed master social worker or its equivalent under appropriate supervision; and
(4) demonstrates professional competence by satisfactorily passing a written examination as prescribed by the board.
D. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, the board may grant a license on a case-by-case basis to those employees of an executive agency who are currently practicing social work as defined in Section [6 of the Social Work Practice Act] 61-31-6 NMSA 1978 and have been so employed for at least ten years prior to the effective date of [that] the Social Work Practice Act."
Section 7. Section 61-31-13 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1989, Chapter 51, Section 13) is amended to read:
"61-31-13. LICENSURE BY CREDENTIALS.--The board may license an applicant without written examination, provided [that he] the applicant possesses a valid social worker license issued by the appropriate examining board under the laws of any other state or territory of the United States, the District of Columbia or any foreign nation [which] that, in the judgment of the board, has requirements [including knowledge of New Mexico cultures, subtantially equivalent to or exceeding those in the Social Work Practice Act] equivalent to or exceeding those in the Social Work Practice Act. Applicants applying for licensure by credentials shall also demonstrate by means established by the board that they have awareness and knowledge of New Mexico cultures for the licensure level sought."
Section 8. Section 61-31-14 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1989, Chapter 51, Section 14, as amended) is amended to read:
"61-31-14. LICENSE RENEWAL.--
A. Each licensee shall renew his license annually by submitting a renewal application on a form provided by the board. At the time of license renewal, the board shall require a licensee to produce evidence of continuing education, as prescribed by the board.
B. A thirty-day grace period shall be allowed each licensee after each annual licensing period, during which time licenses may be renewed upon payment of the renewal fee and providing evidence of continuing education as [required under the Social Work Practice Act] prescribed by the board.
C. Any licensee who allows his license to lapse for longer than three months shall have the license automatically revoked and shall be required to take a written examination.
D. A late penalty fee shall be assessed after the thirty-day grace period has expired for anyone attempting to renew a license to practice social work.
E. Any person licensed under the Social Work Practice Act who wishes to assume inactive status in the practice of social work shall notify the board's administrator in writing prior to the July 1 expiration of that person's current license. As part of the written request for inactive status, the licensee shall show proof of having completed the required continuing education hours. If the licensee has not met the continuing education requirements, inactive status may be granted, but the licensee shall be subject to all rules related to continuing education if reinstatement of license is requested. The practice of social work in New Mexico under an inactive license is strictly prohibited. Any person licensed under the Social Work Practice Act who has assumed inactive status may notify the board, in writing, of that person's desire to resume active practice. The applicant seeking reinstatement of an inactive license shall, in addition to other requirements established by the board, provide satisfactory proof of completion of no less than ten hours of continuing education for each year of inactive status;
F. The board shall not accept applications for inactive status from licensees who are under investigation for violations of the Social Work Practice Act or who have an inactive complaint pending with the board.
G. The board shall accept applications from a social worker who is impaired as defined in the Social Work Practice Act and who is participating in a rehabilitation plan approved by the board. The board may, at its discretion, require that an applicant for reinstatement take and pass a written or oral examination as prescribed by the board."
Section 9. A new section of the Social Work Practice Act, Section 61-31-14.1 NMSA 1978, is enacted to read:
"61-31-14.1. [NEW MATERIAL] RETIREMENT STATUS.--
A. Any person licensed under the Social Work Practice Act who wishes to retire from practice shall notify the board's administrator in writing prior to the July 1 expiration of the person's current license. As part of the written request for retirement status, the licensee shall show proof of having completed the required continuing education hours. If the licensee has not met the continuing education requirements, retirement status may be granted but the licensee shall be subject to all rules related to continuing education if reinstatement of license is requested.
B. Upon approval by the board of the request for retirement status, the licensee shall assume retirement status and be exempt from payment of the yearly renewal fees during the period of retirement.
C. The practice of social work in New Mexico under a retired license is strictly prohibited. Any person licensed under the Social Work Practice Act who has retired may notify the board in writing of that person's desire to resume active practice.
D. The person seeking reinstatement of a retired license shall in addition to other requirements established by the board, provide satisfactory proof of:
(1) completion of no less than five hours of continuing education for each year of retirement; such continuing education to be accumulated in accordance with the rules; and
(2) completion of all continuing education requirements determined to have been unmet at the time retirement status was granted.
E. The board may at its discretion require that an applicant for reinstatement take and pass a written or oral examination as prescribed by the board.
F. A retired person licensed under the Social Work Practice Act shall not reactivate his practice until receipt of the new license.
G. The board shall not accept applications for retirement from licensees who are under investigation for violations of the Social Work Practice Act or who have an active complaint pending with the board.
H. The board shall accept applications under this section from any social worker who is impaired as defined in the Social Work Practice Act and is participating in a rehabilitation plan approved by the board."
Section 10. Section 61-31-16 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1989, Chapter 51, Section 16) is amended to read:
"61-31-16. FUND ESTABLISHED.--
A. [There is created in the state treasury] The "board of social work examiners fund" is created in the state treasury.
B. All money received by the board under the Social Work Practice Act shall be deposited with the state treasurer for credit to the fund. The state treasurer shall invest the fund as other state funds are invested, and all income derived from investment of the fund shall be credited to the fund. Money in the fund is subject to appropriation by the legislature. All balances in the fund shall remain in the fund and shall not revert to the general fund.
C. Money in the fund is appropriated to the board and shall be used only for the purpose of meeting the necessary expenses incurred in carrying out the provisions of the Social Work Practice Act."
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