STAND. COM. REP. 815

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2003

RE: H.B. No. 1412

H.D. 2

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1412, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to recognize professional counselors and provide them parity with other mental health professionals by, among other things:

(1) Establishing a Professional Counselors Licensing Program (Licensing Program);

(2) Setting standards in education and experience to qualify for licensure;

(3) Requiring licensure for those who hold themselves out to the public as a professional counselor;

(4) Providing penalties for those who use the title of "licensed professional counselor" without first having secured a license;

(5) Ensuring that the communications disclosed during professional counseling services remain confidential and privileged;

(6) Prohibiting professional counselors from having to testify in alimony and divorce actions; and

(7) Establishing a temporary Professional Counselors Licensing Program Startup Trust Fund to receive gifts, bequests, and other contributions of money for the initial costs of implementing the Program.

The National Association of Social Workers, Child & Family Service, Hawaii Rehabilitation Counseling Association, Hale Opio Kauai, Inc., Kaiser Permanente, Lynn C. Fox & Associates, Inc., Hawaii Youth Services Network, Hawaii Vocational Services, Sestak Rehabilitation Services, Christian Science Committee on Publication for Hawaii, H.S.C.A, and several individuals testified in support of this bill.

The Hawaii Government Employees Association, Clinical Social Work Society of Hawaii, and an individual supported the intent of this bill.

The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Professional and Vocational Licensing Division, and several individuals opposed this bill.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1412, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

 

____________________________

DWIGHT Y. TAKAMINE, Chair