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History
- Substituted by A7225
- Ordered to third reading cal.1611
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- Reported and committed to finance
- Referred to higher education
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Provides for mandatory continuing education for mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, psychoanalysts and creative arts therapists
Signed by Governor · Sponsor Michael DenDekker
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S5086
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to mandatory continuing education for licensed mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, psychoanalysts and creative arts therapists
Purpose
To require each mental health counselor, marriage and family therapist, psychoanalyst and creative arts therapist licensed in New York to undergo mandatory continuing education.
Summary of provisions
The education law is amended by adding a new section, 8412.
Section 8412-1:
(a) Requires that each licensed mental health counselor, marriage and family therapist, psychoanalyst and creative arts therapist in New York complete continuing education during each triennial registration. These professionals must be issued a registration certificate to continue practicing, unless a conditional registration certificate is issued to them.
(b) Exempts continuing education requirements for the initial triennial registration period and allows for adjustments for reasons of health, extended active duty with the U.S. armed forces or for other good cause.
(c) Those not engaged in practice, as determined by the department, shall be exempt from the continuing education requirement upon the filing of a statement with the department. Licensees who return to practice shall notify the department prior to reentering and shall meet all education requirements.
8412-2: Requires that thirty six hours of acceptable formal continuing education, as specified in Section 8412-4, be completed each triennial registration period, with a maximum of twelve hours being self-instructional course work. Continuing education hours taken during one triennium are nontransferable
8412-3: Authorizes the department to issue conditional registrations, for up to one year, to licensees failing to meet the continuing education requirements. Licensees who are denied registration and who continue to practice may be subject to disciplinary proceedings.
8412-4: Defines "acceptable formal continuing education" as used in Section 8412-2.
8412-5: Requires counselors, psychoanalysts and therapists to maintain documentation of completion of "acceptable formal continuing education" Failure to provide documentation to the department upon request shall constitute misconduct subject to discipline.
8412-6: Sets forth the mandatory continuing education fee of forty-five dollars, to be payable on or before the first day of each triennial registration period.
Justification
As each of these important professions grow, it becomes increasingly important for licensees to maintain adequate to best practices. Requiring continuing education for practitioners in these professions ensures that New York residents receive care from licensed professionals who are well informed about current and relevant practices in their fields.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:. New bill.
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however, section one of this act shall take effect June 30, 2014. Effective immediately upon the passage of this bill, the state education department is authorized to complete the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule of regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.