STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3541

                                   Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                     , 2000

                                   RE:  H.C.R. No. 38
                                        H.D. 1




Honorable Norman Mizuguchi
President of the Senate
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 2000
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which
was referred H.C.R. No. 38, H.D. 1, entitled: 

     "HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF
     COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS TO REVIEW AND EVALUATE THE
     LICENSING REQUIREMENTS FOR PSYCHOLOGISTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to address the problem of the
inadequate supply of licensed psychologists available to meet the
community's mental health needs by authorizing a review of the
psychology licensure requirements. 

     Testimony on the measure was submitted by the Department of
Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA), Department of Health (DOH),
Department of Education (DOE), and Hawaii Psychological
Association (HPA).  Oral testimony was presented by an
individual. 

     Your Committee finds that DOH and DOE have experienced
difficulty in recruiting and hiring licensed psychologists to
provide mental health services.  A sizable pool of post-doctoral
level psychologists are unable to meet the licensing requirements
under the current administrative rules, and therefore, cannot be
retained.  Additionally, the difficulty of obtaining licensure
through reciprocity under the current rules further hinders the
hiring of qualified professionals.  This measure would authorize
a review of current licensure requirements in an effort to
determine whether changes to the law are necessary in order to

 
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                                   STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3541
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facilitate the hiring of qualified mental health services
providers.

     Your Committee notes that HPA has expressed concerns about
undertaking a review of the State's psychology licensure
requirements at a time when model legislation is being considered
by a task force convened by the American Psychological
Association.  Your Committee acknowledges HPA's concerns and
encourages the group to share its concerns and views with DCCA
during the review process.  

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection that is attached to
this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose
of H.C.R. No. 38, H.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

                                   Respectfully submitted on
                                   behalf of the members of the
                                   Committee on Commerce and
                                   Consumer Protection,



                                   ______________________________
                                   BRIAN KANNO, Co-Chair



                                   ______________________________
                                   BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Co-Chair

 
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