STAND. COM. REP. NO.1323

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2003

RE: H.B. No. 1412

H.D. 2

S.D. 2

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1412, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to regulate professional counselors through a title protection form of licensure.

Specifically, this measure prohibits persons from calling themselves "licensed professional counselors" without having obtained a license from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Furthermore, this measure also requires the Department to issue licenses to applicants who satisfy education, work experience, and examination qualifications for licensure.

Your Committee finds that Hawaii is one of only two states that does not license professional counselors. Without a certification mechanism for professional counselors, the State will be unable to obtain federal reimbursement for services provided to QUEST-eligible families. The State and non-profit organizations will be unable to claim third-party reimbursement from medical insurance providers and consumers will be prevented from having the freedom to choose a mental health practitioner.

Your Committee has amended this measure by specifying that the practicum experience requirements for licensure do not apply to persons holding a master's degree or doctoral degree in counseling from the University of Hawaii. Your Committee has also made some technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1412, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1412, H.D. 2, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair