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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 70 FILED ON: 1/10/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 649
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Anne M. Gobi
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act relative to increasing consumer access to licensed rehabilitation counselors.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Anne M. GobiWorcester and HampshireHannah Kane11th Worcester2/15/2023 1 of 3
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 70 FILED ON: 1/10/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 649
By Ms. Gobi, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 649) of Anne M. Gobi and Hannah
Kane for legislation relative to increase consumer access to licensed rehabilitation counselors.
Financial Services.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 677 OF 2021-2022.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
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An Act relative to increasing consumer access to licensed rehabilitation counselors.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 SECTION 1. Section 22 of chapter 32A of the General Laws, is hereby amended by
2striking out the last paragraph and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:--
3 For the purposes of this section, "licensed mental health professional" shall mean a
4licensed physician who specializes in the practice of psychiatry, a licensed psychologist, a
5licensed independent clinical social worker, a licensed mental health counselor, a licensed nurse
6mental health clinical specialist, a licensed marriage and family therapist or a licensed
7rehabilitation counselor within the lawful scope of practice for such therapist.
8 SECTION 2. Section 47B of chapter 175 of the General Laws is hereby amended by
9striking out the next to last paragraph and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:-- 2 of 3
10 For the purposes of this section, "licensed mental health professional" shall mean a
11licensed physician who specializes in the practice of psychiatry, a licensed psychologist, a
12licensed independent clinical social worker, a licensed mental health counselor, a licensed nurse
13mental health clinical specialist, a licensed marriage and family therapist, or a licensed
14rehabilitation counselor within the lawful scope of practice for such therapist.
15 SECTION 3. Section 8A of chapter 176A of the General Laws is hereby amended by
16striking out the next to last paragraph and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:--
17 For the purposes of this section, "licensed mental health professional" shall mean a
18licensed physician who specializes in the practice of psychiatry, a licensed psychologist, a
19licensed independent clinical social worker, a licensed mental health counselor, a licensed nurse
20mental health clinical specialist, a licensed marriage and family therapist, or a licensed
21rehabilitation counselor within the lawful scope of practice for such therapist.
22 SECTION 4. Section 4A of 176B of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out
23the next to last paragraph and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:--
24 For the purposes of this section, "licensed mental health professional" shall mean a
25licensed physician who specializes in the practice of psychiatry, a licensed psychologist, a
26licensed independent clinical social worker, a licensed mental health counselor, a licensed nurse
27mental health clinical specialist, a licensed marriage and family therapist, or a licensed
28rehabilitation counselor within the lawful scope of practice for such therapist.
29 SECTION 5. Section 4M of 176G of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking
30out the next to last paragraph and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:-- 3 of 3
31 For the purposes of this section, "licensed mental health professional" shall mean a
32licensed physician who specializes in the practice of psychiatry, a licensed psychologist, a
33licensed independent clinical social worker, a licensed mental health counselor, a licensed nurse
34mental health clinical specialist, a licensed marriage and family therapist, or a licensed
35rehabilitation counselor within the lawful scope of practice for such therapist.