BILL ANALYSIS Ó AB 1084 Page 1 Date of Hearing: January 21, 2016 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Jimmy Gomez, Chair AB 1084 (Bonilla) - As Amended January 4, 2016 ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Policy |Business and Professions |Vote:|14 - 0 | |Committee: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |-------------+-------------------------------+-----+-------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |-------------+-------------------------------+-----+-------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: NoReimbursable: No SUMMARY: This bill makes conforming changes to the examination requirements for an applicant for licensure as a clinical social worker (LCSW), who possesses a master's degree from a school or department of social work, that is seeking accreditation, to AB 1084 Page 2 allow the applicant to take the law and ethics examination while the applicant's school or department is a candidate for accreditation, as specified. FISCAL EFFECT: Negligible state costs. COMMENTS: 1)Purpose. This is an author-sponsored bill that clarifies examination requirements for LCSW licensure applicants. 2)Background. Current law specifies persons in training to be an LSCW must register as an associate clinical social worker (ACSW). It further specifies ACSW registration applicants are not eligible to take any examinations while the applicant's school or department is a candidate for accreditation. However, SB 704 (Negrete McLeod), Chapter 387, Statutes of 2011, restructured the examination process, requiring ACSW applicants to take the California law and ethics examination as a condition of licensure effective January 1, 2016. AB 1084 specifies applicants are not allowed to take the clinical exam while their school is seeking accreditation, thereby allowing them to take the law and ethics exam even through their school is unaccredited. Analysis Prepared by:Lisa Murawski / APPR. / (916) 319-2081 AB 1084 Page 3