BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    �



                                                                  AB 2198
                                                                  Page  1

          Date of Hearing:   May 14, 2014

                        ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
                                  Mike Gatto, Chair

                   AB 2198 (Levine) - As Amended:  April 21, 2014 

          Policy Committee:                              Business and  
          Professions  Vote:                            10-0

          Urgency:     No                   State Mandated Local Program:  
          No     Reimbursable:              No

           SUMMARY  

          This bill requires mental health professionals to complete  
          either 15 or more hours of coursework during a degree program,  
          or six or more hours of continuing education (CE) coursework as  
          part of license renewal, in suicide assessment, management and  
          treatment, depending on the professional's date of graduation.  

           FISCAL EFFECT  

          Minor and absorbable workload and costs to the Board of  
          Behavioral Sciences and the Board of Psychology for verifying an  
          applicant has completed required coursework. 

           COMMENTS  

           1)Purpose  . The author states this bill intends to ensure mental  
            health professionals have adequate training to deal with  
            potentially suicidal individuals.  This bill is  
            author-sponsored.  

           2)Training standards for mental health professionals  .  Training  
            and educational standards for mental health professionals vary  
            depending on the profession.  Each licensed mental health  
            professional is required to meet different educational  
            elements, which are generally determined by the regulatory  
            board, either BBS or BOP. In addition, CE is often required to  
            maintain an active license, and CE requirements may be set  
            forth in statute and specified in more detail through  
            regulations.  

           3)Support  . This bill is supported by mental health advocacy  








                                                                  AB 2198
                                                                  Page  2

            groups and the California Mental Health Directors Association.

           4)Opposition  . Associations of mental health professionals,  
            including social workers, marriage and family therapists, and  
            psychologists oppose this bill, stating their belief that  
            professionals should be trusted to pursue coursework that will  
            be needed on the job.


           Analysis Prepared by  :    Lisa Murawski / APPR. / (916) 319-2081