STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1637

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.C.R. No. 199

       H.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committees on Human Services and Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 199, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPY: HAWAII DIVISION, TO DEVELOP DRAFT LEGISLATION ESTABLISHING, IMPLEMENTING, AND MONITORING CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL LICENSED MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPISTS IN HAWAII,"

 

beg leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy:  Hawaii Division, to develop draft legislation establishing, implementing, and monitoring continuing education requirements for all licensed marriage and family therapists in Hawaii.

 

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the National Association of Social Workers, Hawaii Chapter; American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, Hawaii Division; and four individuals.  Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

 

     Your Committees find that the profession of marriage and family therapy provides critically needed services in prevention, intervention, and treatment to a broad spectrum of clients.  Hawaii is one of only three states that do not require continuing education credits as part of their licensing law for marriage and family therapists.  Continuing education is essential to help marriage and family therapists maintain their professional competency and keep abreast of the latest developments in their profession.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Human Services and Commerce and Consumer Protection that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 199, H.D. 1, and recommend its adoption.

 

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

 

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair

 

____________________________

SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair