Kansas 2023-2024 Regular Session

Kansas House Bill HB2375

Introduced

2/8/23

Refer

2/8/23

Report Pass

2/21/23

Engrossed

3/1/23

Refer

3/2/23

Report Pass

3/15/23

Failed

4/30/24

Caption

Establishing the temporary candidacy baccalaureate and masters social work licenses and providing requirements and fees therefor.

Impact

One of the notable impacts of HB 2375 is the broadening of opportunities for social work graduates, particularly those who have completed their education in programs that have not yet received full accreditation. By allowing the issuance of temporary candidacy licenses, the bill aims to reduce barriers for entry into the profession, thereby potentially increasing the number of licensed social workers in Kansas. This change can help meet the growing demand for social services, especially in mental health areas where workforce shortages are prevalent.

Summary

House Bill 2375 focuses on the establishment of temporary candidacy licenses for baccalaureate and master's level social workers in Kansas. It aims to create a framework whereby candidates from accredited social work programs that are still awaiting full accreditation can apply for temporary licensure, allowing them to practice while completing the necessary requirements for permanent licensure. This legislation particularly addresses concerns regarding the accessibility of professional licensure for graduates from programs that are in candidacy status, significantly recognized by the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board.

Contention

However, the bill also raises points of contention regarding the quality and oversight of social work education. Opponents may argue that granting temporary licenses to graduates from non-accredited programs could dilute professional standards and endanger client welfare by allowing less experienced individuals to practice without proper oversight. Additionally, the bill mandates that anyone holding a temporary license practice under supervision and prohibits them from using certain licensed credentials, which is an important precaution but may still raise concerns about the adequacy of training provided under temporary licensure.

Last_action

HB 2375 passed with a vote of 39 to 1 on March 28, 2023, indicating strong legislative support despite potential concerns raised during discussions.

Latest HB2375 Activity

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Similar Bills

KS SB131

Substitute for SB 131 by Committee on Public Health and Welfare - Authorizing the state board of healing arts to issue a sports waiver to practice healing arts professions in this state on a limited basis during certain sporting events, authorizing pharmacy technicians to administer certain vaccines, licensing of professional counselors, social workers, marriage and family therapists, addiction counselors, behavior analysts, psychologists and master's level psychologists, requiring the behavioral sciences regulatory board to process applications within a certain time and establish an expedited application process, establishing license categories for applicants from social work programs in candidacy for accreditation and for temporary reinstatement; extending the license period of temporary licenses, establishing a community-based license for certain licensed professions.

KS HB2340

Requiring the behavioral sciences regulatory board to process applications within a certain time, decreasing the years of practice required for reciprocity licensure of certain behavioral sciences professions, extending the license period for temporary licenses, establishing new license categories and decreasing continuing education requirements related to diagnosis and treatment.

KS SB176

Increasing the membership of the behavioral sciences regulatory board, decreasing the years of practice required for reciprocity licensure of certain professions, extending the license period for temporary licenses, establishing new license categories, providing additional continuing education requirements and requiring that clinical social work supervisors be approved by the board.