STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1018-00

                                 Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                   , 2000

                                 RE: S.B. No. 2459
                                     S.D. 2
                                     H.D. 1




Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say
Speaker, House of Representatives
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 2000
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Health and Consumer Protection and
Commerce, to which was referred S.B. No. 2459, S.D. 2, entitled: 

     "A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to create a program for
licensing counselors.

     The Hawaii Counseling Association which also presented a
petition signed by a number of concerned individuals, the Child &
Family Service, Lynn C. Fox & Associates, the Hawaii
Rehabilitation Counseling Association, the Rehabilitation
Association of Hawaii, Case Management Works, Sestak
Rehabilitation Services, and a number of concerned individuals
testified in support of this measure.  The Department of Commerce
and Consumer Affairs, the Hawaii Nurses Association, and a number
of concerned individuals provided testimony commenting on this
measure and suggesting amendments.  The Board of Psychology and a
number of concerned individuals testified in opposition to the
measure.

     After careful consideration, your Committees have amended
this measure by deleting its substance and inserting language
reflected in a similar bill, H.B. No. 2165, H.D. 1.  In so doing,
the bill has been amended to: 


 
 
 
                                 STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1018-00
                                 Page 2

 
     (1)  More accurately define the title-protection program as
          one of certification rather than licensure;

     (2)  Clarify that the program is intended specifically for
          mental health counselors; and

     (3)  Adopt the private certification standards for mental
          health counselors as the state standard for regulation.

Minor, technical revisions were also made for purposes of style
and clarity.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your
Committees on Health and Consumer Protection and Commerce that
are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with
the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2459, S.D. 2, as amended
herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form
attached hereto as S.B. No. 2459, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred
to the Committee on Finance.

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

                                   
                                   
                                   
                                   
______________________________     ______________________________
RON MENOR, Chair                   ALEXANDER C. SANTIAGO, Chair