STAND. COM. REP. NO.1235-02

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2002

RE: S.B. No. 251

S.D. 2

H.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred S.B. No. 251, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to:

(1) Set standards of qualifications regarding education and experience of mental health counselors; and

(2) Require certification for those persons who seek to represent themselves to the public as certified professional counselors.

The Crime Victim Compensation Commission, Department of Health, Hawaii Counseling Association, Hawaii Youth Services Network, Hawaii Vocational Services, Alliance for Professional Counselor Licensure, Case Management Works, Sestak Rehabilitation Services, Christian Science Committee on Publication for Hawaii, Rehabilitation Association of Hawaii, and a number of concerned citizens testified in support of this measure. The Hawaii Psychological Association testified in opposition to this measure. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs commented on this measure.

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 S.B. No. 251, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

 

____________________________

DWIGHT Y. TAKAMINE, Chair