Revision: July 3, 2017, 3:03 p.m.
CHAPTER 194
SB 54 - FINAL VERSION
03/30/2017 1157s
2017 SESSION
17-0864
10/08
SENATE BILL 54
AN ACT relative to the licensure of alcohol and drug counselors, requiring occupational regulatory boards and commissions to post reciprocity information, and establishing a committee to study licensure of alcohol and drug counselors.
SPONSORS: Sen. D'Allesandro, Dist 20; Sen. Lasky, Dist 13
COMMITTEE: Executive Departments and Administration
-----------------------------------------------------------------
This bill:
I. Increases the number of hours of alcohol and drug use education required for initial licensure as a master licensed alcohol and drug counselor or as a licensed alcohol and drug counselor.
II. Provides that qualified alcohol and drug counselors from other states are able to practice in this state not more than 60 days after application to the board of licensing for alcohol and other drug use professionals, pending final approval.
III. Requires that occupational regulatory boards and commissions provide information on their website concerning reciprocity for persons holding a current and valid license or certification in another state.
IV. Establishes a committee to study the licensure of alcohol and drug counselors.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
03/30/2017 1157s 17-0864
10/08
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Seventeen
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
194:1 Alcohol and Other Drug Use Professionals; Master Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor. Amend RSA 330-C:16, I(a) to read as follows:
I.(a) Have graduated with a minimum graduate degree of a 60-hour masters degree in clinical mental health, clinical psychology, substance use treatment, social work, or human services or equivalent, with clinical course work and internship requirements, from an accredited college or university, [270] 300 hours of alcohol and drug use education, which may be included in the coursework of the master's program, and 300 hours of supervised practical training.
194:2 Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors. Amend RSA 330-C:17, I to read as follows:
I.(a) Have graduated with an associate's degree in substance use counseling, addiction studies, or equivalent program, obtained [270] 300 hours of alcohol and drug use education within the degree-granting program or separately, completed 6,000 hours of supervised work experience, and completed 300 hours of supervised practical training within the degree-granting program, as part of the supervised work experience or separately; or
(b) Have graduated with a bachelor's degree in a clinical mental health, social work, psychology, substance use counseling, addiction studies, human services discipline, or equivalent program from an accredited college or university, obtained [270] 300 hours of alcohol and drug use education within the degree-granting program or separately, completed 4,000 hours of supervised work experience, and completed 300 hours of supervised practical training within the degree-granting program, as part of the supervised work experience or separately.
194:3 New Paragraph; Alcohol and Other Drug Use Professionals; Applicants from Other States. Amend RSA 330-C:21 by inserting after paragraph I the following new paragraph:
I-a. An applicant whose state licensure meets the requirements in paragraph I shall be deemed able to practice in this state not more than 60 days after the application is received by the board pending final approval or denial for other reason by the board. The board shall adopt rules under RSA 541-A to ensure the timely review and approval of applications under this section.
194:4 New Section; General Administration; Boards and Commissions; Reciprocity Information. Amend RSA 332-G by inserting after section 11 the following new section:
332-G:12 Reciprocity Information.
I. All boards or commissions, including the board of hearing care providers established in RSA 137-F:3, shall post information on their website relative to reciprocal licensure or certification for persons holding a current and valid license or certification for the practice of the regulated profession in another state. Such information shall include a list of the states which the board or commission has determined to have license or certification requirements equal to, or greater than, the requirements of this state. The posting shall also list states with which the board or commission has:
(a) Entered into a reciprocity agreement;
(b) Entered into a multistate compact; or
(c) Established criteria for licensure by endorsement.
II. In addition, the posted reciprocity information shall clearly identify and describe the terms, conditions, or criteria under which a licensee or certificate holder from a listed state may obtain a license or certification in this state. Such terms, conditions, and criteria, may include, but shall not be limited to, the successful completion of an examination addressing the laws of the state of New Hampshire and the payment of a fee.
194:5 Committee to Study Licensure of Alcohol and Drug Counselors Established.
I. There is established a committee to study licensure of alcohol and drug counselors.
II. The members of the committee shall be as follows:
(a) One member of the senate, who shall be a member of the executive departments and administration committee, appointed by the president of the senate.
(b) Two members of the house of representatives, who shall be members of the executive departments and administration committee, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
III. Members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.
IV. The committee shall:
(a) Study the licensure of alcohol and drug counselors under RSA 330-C.
(b) Make recommendations on the addition of other levels of licensure and/or certification of alcohol and drug counselors in New Hampshire.
(c) Make recommendations concerning the structure of the board of licensing for alcohol and other drug use professionals in RSA 330-C.
V. The members of the study committee shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the committee shall be called by the senate member. The first meeting of the committee shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section.
VI. The committee shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate clerk, the house clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2017.
I. Section 1-3 of this act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
II. Section 4 of this act shall take effect January 1, 2018.
III. The remainder of this act shall take effect upon its passage.
Approved: June 30, 2017
Effective Date:
I. Sections 1-3 effective August 29, 2017
II. Section 4 effective January 1, 2018
III. Remainder effective June 30, 2017