BILL ANALYSIS Ó AB 1917 Page 1 Date of Hearing: April 6, 2016 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Lorena Gonzalez, Chair AB 1917 (Obernolte) - As Introduced February 11, 2016 ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Policy |Business and Professions |Vote:|16 - 0 | |Committee: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |-------------+-------------------------------+-----+-------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: NoReimbursable: No SUMMARY: This bill clarifies and makes minor changes to education and training requirements for licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs) and licensed professional clinical counselors (LPCCs) licensed by the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS). FISCAL EFFECT: AB 1917 Page 2 Costs to BBS are minor and absorbable (Behavioral Science Examiners Fund). COMMENTS: 1)Purpose. According to the author, this bill effectuates changes to LMFT and LPCC licensure requirements that emerged from a stakeholder committee process. BBS believes these amendments will, among other things, assist applicants with degrees from out-of-state schools to become licensed in California, while ensuring the degree includes training necessary to protect the public. This bill is sponsored by BBS and has no opposition. 2)Background. BBS licenses nearly 40,000 LMFTs and 1,300 LPCCs, as well as interns for each licensure type. LMFTs and LPCCs are Masters'-level mental health practitioners that work in a variety of health care settings including hospitals, mental health organizations, and private practice. Analysis Prepared by:Lisa Murawski / APPR. / (916) 319-2081