STAND

STAND. COM. REP. NO.586

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2003

RE: S.B. No. 1314

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Housing, to which was referred S.B. No. 1314 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PSYCHOLOGIST LICENSING REQUIREMENTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to clarify the licensing requirements for engaging in the practice of psychology.

Testimony in support of this measure was received by Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA), the Board of Psychology, and the Hawaii Psychological Association.

According to testimony of the DCCA, this measure would:

(1) Allow the Board of Psychology to accept the Certificate of Professional Qualification in Psychology (CPQ) or the credential issued by the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology as evidence of meeting the minimum qualifications for psychologist licensure;

(2) Delete overly burdensome education and experience requirements for senior psychologist licensure;

(3) Delete the open-book jurisprudence examination and replace it with a self-attestation statement on the application; and

(4) Make housekeeping amendments relating to licensure of state employed clinical psychologists.

Your Committee's utmost concern is for the health, safety, and protection of the general public. Your Committee is satisfied from the testimony that the proposed changes, intended to conform Hawaii law to the current trend in other state laws, would streamline and expedite the licensing process for applicants holding the credentials. The effect is to bring the practice of psychology in step with other professions by breaking down cumbersome licensing requirements between states.

By removing the requirement for a "written" examination, it is not the intent of your Committee to authorize oral examinations, but to allow the use of computer-based exams.

Although this measure would likely increase the number of licensed psychologists in the State, particularly with regards to alleviating the demand for mental health professionals to counsel Felix children, your Committee finds that the changes in licensure requirements present no harm to the public.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1314 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

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

		____________________________ RON MENOR, Chair