BILL ANALYSIS
AB 2435
Page 1
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB 2435 (Bonnie Lowenthal)
As Amended April 22, 2010
Majority vote
BUSINESS & PROFESSIONS 11-0APPROPRIATIONS 17-0
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|Ayes:|Hayashi, Emmerson, |Ayes:|Fuentes, Conway, Ammiano, |
| |Conway, Eng, Hernandez, | |Bradford, Charles |
| |Hill, Ma, Nava, Niello, | |Calderon, Coto, Davis, |
| |Ruskin, Smyth | |Nava, Hall, Harkey, |
| | | |Miller, Nielsen, Norby, |
| | | |Skinner, Solorio, |
| | | |Torlakson, Torrico |
| | | | |
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SUMMARY : Requires marriage and family therapists (MFTs),
licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs), psychologists, and
licensed professional counselors (PCCs) to have training on the
recognition and reporting of suspected elder and dependent adult
abuse as requirements for licensure. Specifically, this bill :
1)Encourages the Board of Psychology and the Board of Behavioral
Sciences (BBS) to include coursework regarding the assessment
and reporting of elder and dependent adult abuse in the
required training on aging and long-term care issues prior to
licensure or license renewal.
2)Adds instruction on the assessment, reporting, and treatment
related to elder and dependent adult abuse and neglect, to the
coursework and continuing education requirements prior to
licensure or licensure renewal as a psychologist, MFT, LCSW,
or PCC commencing January 1, 2012.
3)States that it is anticipated and encouraged that hours of
experience gained prior to being licensed as an MFT will
include working with elders and dependent adults who have
physical or mental limitations that restrict their ability to
carry out normal activities or protect their rights.
4)States legislative intent and findings.
EXISTING LAW provides for the licensure and regulation of
AB 2435
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psychologists, PCCs, LCSWs and MFTs and establishes specified
coursework requirements, including child abuse assessment and
reporting.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Assembly Appropriations
Committee, no direct fiscal impact to BBS to continue oversight
of professional training and education. This bill codifies
current practice and adds specificity to current law training
requirements.
COMMENTS : According to the author's office, "Degree programs
and licensing requirements for MFTs, LCSWs, and psychologists
already include training on elder and dependent adult abuse
recognition and reporting. However, while state law requires
degree programs to include training in the biological,
sociological, and psychological aspects of aging, state law is
silent on the inclusion of elder and dependent adult abuse.
"The goal of this bill is not to place additional requirements
on licensees, but instead to codify in state law the existing
education and training on elder and dependent adult abuse
recognition and reporting."
According to the Attorney General's office, over 225,000
Californians are victims of elder and dependent adult abuse each
year, with family members constituting more than two-thirds of
the alleged abusers. However, the statistics for reports of
elder abuse do not mirror the increasing occurrences of elder
abuse in California; experts estimate that only one in 14 cases
is reported. For financial abuse, the statistics are even more
startling with only an estimated one in 100 incidents ever
reported.
Analysis Prepared by : Rebecca May / B. & P. / (916) 319-3301
FN: 0004028