STAND. COM. REP. NO.2020
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2002
RE: S.B. No. 2106
S.D. 1
Honorable Robert Bunda
President of the Senate
Twenty-First State Legislature
Regular Session of 2002
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 2106 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPISTS,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to extend the repeal date of chapter 451J, Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS), relating to marriage and family therapists, from December 31, 2002, to June 30, 2004.
Testimony in opposition to this measure was submitted by the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA), Chaminade University of Honolulu, The Salvation Army Addiction Treatment Services, Hawaii Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, Argosy University, Damien Memorial High School, National Association of Social Workers, and eighteen private citizens.
Your Committee notes that, with the exception of the DCCA, all testifiers were in favor of making permanent chapter 451J, HRS, rather than extending the sunset date.
Your Committee finds that the modern day proliferation of marriage and family therapists warrants permanent regulation of that specialty. Your Committee accordingly has amended this measure by replacing its contents with the contents of S.B. No. 2496, that:
(1) Provides reciprocity with other states that have similar licensure requirements;
(2) Deletes the exemption for persons doing work within the scope of practice or duties of their profession that overalaps with the practice of marriage and family therapy;
(3) Deletes provisions (1) clarifying that certain licensed professions are not prevented from doing or advertising that they assist or treat individuals, couples, or families in the course of practicing their profession; and (2) providing that no one may use the title of marriage and family therapist without being licensed as such;
(4) Deletes violation of recognized ethical standards as grounds for denial, revocation, suspension, or condition of a license; and
(5) Deletes the sunset date of December 31, 2002, for chapter 451J, HRS, relating to marriage and family therapists.
Your Committee believes that this measure, as amended, provides more comprehensive changes that are needed, in addition to making the regulation permanent.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health and Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2106, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2106, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Housing.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health and Human Services,
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____________________________ DAVID MATSUURA, Chair |
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