BILL ANALYSIS Ó SB 146 Page 1 Date of Hearing: July 13, 2011 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Felipe Fuentes, Chair SB 146 (Wyland) - As Amended: June 7, 2011 Policy Committee: Judiciary Vote:9-0 Business and Professions Vote: 9-0 Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: Yes Reimbursable: No SUMMARY This bill revises numerous code sections, which currently apply to other, similar mental health professionals, to include licensed professional clinical counselors (LPCCs), clinical counselor interns and trainees. FISCAL EFFECT Negligible state fiscal impact. COMMENTS 1)Rationale . Professional clinical counselors will be newly licensed by the Board of Behavioral Sciences commencing January 1, 2012. According to the author, this bill is needed to thoroughly update and amend relevant code sections so that LPCCs are provided appropriate statutory guidance. The bill includes over 30 provisions addressing diverse issues, including administrative issues regarding licensure, the treatment of confidential patient information, and recognition of LPCCs by health insurance plans as healing arts professionals. This statutory guidance exists for other mental health professionals. Because LPCCs are largely comparable to marriage and family therapists (MFTs), this bill amends code sections that currently apply to MFTs so that the same substantive provisions and requirements would apply to LPCCs as well. 2)Background . Licensed professional clinical counselors are masters and doctoral-level mental health service providers who practice psychotherapy. LPCCs are comparable in scope of SB 146 Page 2 practice, education, and training to MFTs, but they tend to cover a broader range of issues than MFTs, who tend to specialize on marital and family relationship issues. 3)Prior Legislation . SB 788 (Wyland), Chapter 619, Statutes of 2009, established state licensure standards for professional clinical counselors. 4)SB 274 (Wyland) is pending on the Assembly floor, revises several statutes related to professions licensed by the Board of Behavioral Sciences, and makes clarifying changes to statutes related to LPCC licensure. Analysis Prepared by : Lisa Murawski / APPR. / (916) 319-2081