SB 295
Specifies that licensed professional counseling includes the diagnosis of mental, emotional, and behavior disorders and allows the Committee for Professional Counselors to require certain education or training in diagnostic skills
Sponsor:
LR Number:
1094S.02I
Last Action:
2/5/2009 - Second Read and Referred S Health, Mental Health, Seniors and Families Committee
Journal Page:
S261
Title:
Calendar Position:
Effective Date:
August 28, 2009

Current Bill Summary

SB 295 - This act specifies that licensed professional counseling includes the diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and amelioration of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders.

Any professional counselor who gives a diagnosis subject to this act is required to have acceptable education or training in the diagnosis of mental and emotional disorders. The type of acceptable education or training will be defined by the rules of the committee for professional counselors, based on certain statutory criteria.

A person under supervision for licensure as a professional counselor is also required to provide documentation to the committee to prove that they have been supervised in diagnosing mental and emotional disorders.

Upon request, a licensed professional counselor who diagnoses mental or emotional disorders is required to provide the committee with proof of acceptable education or training. If a licensee gives a diagnosis after the committee notifies the licensee that he or she does not have sufficient education or training to do so, then in a disciplinary proceeding against the licensee, there is a presumption the licensee was not competent to diagnose the disorder.

This act is similar to HB 388 (2009).

EMILY KALMER

Amendments