An Act
ENROLLED HOUSE
BILL NO. 2006 By: Townley, Hasenbeck and Roe
of the House
and
Stanley of the Senate
An Act relating to mental health; directing the Board
of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to
promulgate rules for certification of Pr oblem
Gambling Treatment Counselors; providing that rules
include criteria for certification and renewal;
providing for application for certification;
authorizing the Board to establish application and
renewal fees; limiting use of title as Problem
Gambling Treatment Counselor; providing for grounds
for revocation, suspension or nonrenewal of
certification; providing for codification; and
providing an effective date.
SUBJECT: Mental health
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 3 -322a of Title 43A, unless
there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
A. The Board of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Servic es
shall promulgate rules and standards for certification of Problem
Gambling Treatment Counselors who are:
1. Employed by the state;
2. Employed by behavioral services providers contracting with
the state to provide behavioral health services; ENR. H. B. NO. 2006 Page 2
3. Employed by a tribe or tribal facility that provides
behavioral health services; or
4. Employed by an Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs or a
United States Department of Veterans Affairs facility.
B. Such rules and standards shall address criteria f or
certification and renewal, including minimum education requirements,
examination and supervision requirements, continuing education
requirements, and rules of professional conduct.
C. Application for certification as a Problem Gambling
Treatment Counselor shall be made to the Department of Mental Health
and Substance Abuse Services on prescribed forms authorized by the
Department. The Board, or the Commissioner of Mental Health and
Substance Abuse Services upon delegation by the Board, may certify
the Problem Gambling Treatment Counselor for a period of two (2)
years subject to renewal as provided in the rules promulgated by the
Board.
D. The Board is authorized to establish an application and
renewal fee of no more than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) to defray
the costs incurred in the certification process.
E. Problem Gambling Treatment Counselors certified by the Board
or the Commissioner shall only use the title "Problem Gambling
Treatment Counselor" if employed by the state, employed by
behavioral services providers contracting with the state to provide
behavioral health services, employed by a tribe or tribal facility
that provides behavioral health services or employed by an Oklahoma
Department of Veterans Affairs or a United States Department of
Veterans Affairs facility.
F. This section shall not be construed to permit the certified
Problem Gambling Treatment Counselor to practice any of the
following professions or use the following titles unless also
licensed or accredited by the appropria te authority:
1. Physician;
2. Psychologist;
3. Clinical social worker;
ENR. H. B. NO. 2006 Page 3
4. Professional counselor;
5. Marital and family therapist;
6. Behavioral practitioner; or
7. Alcohol and drug counselor.
G. Failure to comply with the rules and standa rds promulgated
by the Board shall be grounds for revocation, suspension or
nonrenewal of certification.
H. No Problem Gambling Treatment Counselor shall operate or
continue to operate as a Problem Gambling Treatment Counselor unless
the Problem Gambling Treatment Counselor complies with the rules
promulgated by the Board and is certified as required by this
section.
SECTION 2. This act shall become effective November 1, 202 1. ENR. H. B. NO. 2006 Page 4
Passed the House of Representatives the 2nd day of March, 2021.
Presiding Officer of the House
of Representatives
Passed the Senate the 20th day of April , 2021.
Presiding Officer of the Senate
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
Received by the Office of the Governor this ____________________
day of ___________________, 20_______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
By: _________________________________
Approved by the Governor of the State of Oklahoma this _________
day of ___________________, 20_______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
___________________________ ______
Governor of the State of Oklahoma
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE
Received by the Office of the Secretary of State this __________
day of ___________________, 20_______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
By: _________________________________