STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1237

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 178

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 178, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CONTINUING EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to require licensed social workers to complete a minimum of fifteen credit hours of continuing education courses for the licensing renewal period beginning July 1, 2013, through June 30, 2016, and forty-five credit hours of continuing education courses during each licensing renewal period beginning July 1, 2016, and thereafter.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Professional and Vocational Licensing Division of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; National Association of Social Workers, Hawai‘i Chapter; Hawai‘i Psychological Association; Action with Aloha, LLC; Hawai‘i Women's Coalition; and three individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from one individual.

     Your Committee finds that social workers provide critical services in prevention, intervention, and treatment to an array of clients.  Your Committee further finds that Hawaii is one of only three jurisdictions in the country that do not require continuing education credits for social workers.

     Your Committee additionally finds that in any profession, continuing education increases the knowledge base and the competency level of professionals.  The continuing education requirements proposed by this measure therefore ensure that licensed social workers in Hawaii maintain their professional competency, keep abreast of the latest developments in their profession, and continue providing quality services for clients.

     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 is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 178, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair