To Remove The Licensure Requirement Of "good Moral Character" From The Social Work Licensing Act.
Impact
If enacted, HB1136 could significantly alter the landscape of social work licensing in Arkansas. By removing this subjective criterion, the bill aims to create a more equitable and streamlined process for licensure. This change may allow more applicants into the profession who have faced barriers due to past indiscretions while still maintaining crucial licensure requirements such as educational qualifications and background checks. This shift could enhance accessibility to social work services in the community, particularly in underserved areas.
Summary
House Bill 1136 aims to amend the Social Work Licensing Act by removing the requirement of 'good moral character' as a qualification for obtaining a social worker license in Arkansas. The motivation behind this bill is to ease the requirements for social workers and potentially expand the pool of qualified professionals in a field that often faces staffing shortages. Supporters argue that such a change could help alleviate barriers for individuals who are qualified in terms of education and experience but may have past incidents that could be viewed as a lack of 'moral character'.
Contention
The bill has sparked considerable debate among stakeholders. Proponents, including Representative Cavenaugh, maintain that the removal of the 'good moral character' standard is necessary to remove unnecessary obstacles for otherwise qualified candidates, thereby improving service provision to those in need. Conversely, opponents express significant concern about the implications of removing this requirement, suggesting that it could undermine the integrity of the profession and diminish public trust in social workers. This highlights a tension between ensuring broad access to the profession and maintaining high ethical standards.
Last_action
The bill faced a vote on February 6, 2023, where it garnered 26 yeas and 7 nays; however, there is no indication of its final passage or further actions taken.