Senate Bill S9123

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S9123

SPONSOR: SUTTON
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the education law, in relation to extending the duration
of limited permits to practice licensed clinical social work and
licensed master social work

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

The purpose of this bill is to extend the duration of limited permits
for licensed master social workers (LMSWs) and licensed clinical social
workers (LCSWs) from twelve months to twenty-four months and to author-
ize the State Education Department (SED) to renew such permits for up to
two additional one-year periods, at the Department's discretion.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section one of the bill amends subdivision 1 of section 7705 of the
education law to increase the validity period of limited permits for the
practice of licensed master social work and licensed clinical social
              

work from twelve months to twenty-four months. The bill further clari-
fies that such limited permits may be renewed, at the discretion of the
State Education Department, for up to two additional one-year periods.

Section two provides the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Under current law, individuals who have completed all licensure require-
ments for LMSW or LCSW licensure except the examination may practice
only under a limited permit valid for twelve months. This timeframe is
often insufficient to complete supervised practice requirements, sit for
the licensure examination, and account for administrative delays.

Extending limited permits to twenty-four months will provide greater
stability for permit holders, supervisors, employers, and the clients
they serve, particularly in light of ongoing social work and mental
health workforce shortages. This change also aligns the limited permit
duration for LMSWs and LCSWs with that already afforded to other mental
health practitioners licensed under Article 163 of the education law,
promoting consistency across the professions.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

None.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it
shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment
and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation
of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and
completed on or before such effective date.