HSCR1023

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1023

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2013

RE: S.B. No. 200

H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred S.B. No. 200 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure to require social workers to complete a minimum number of continuing education courses before each triennial renewal of the social worker's license.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational and Licensing Division; the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women; the National Association of Social Workers Hawaii Chapter; the Hawaii Psychological Association; the Hawaii Youth Services Network; and eight individuals.

Your Committee finds that Hawaii is one of only three jurisdictions that do not require continuing education for licensed social workers. Your Committee further finds that requiring all licensed social workers to complete a minimum number of courses in their field prior to each license renewal will ensure that licensed social workers in Hawaii maintain their professional competency and keep abreast of the latest developments in social work.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to July 1, 2013.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 200, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 200, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

ANGUS L.K. McKELVEY, Chair