STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1343-14

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2014

RE:   S.B. No. 2466

      S.D. 1

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred S.B. No. 2466, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPISTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require licensed marriage and family therapists in Hawaii to complete a minimum of forty-five credit hours of continuing education courses during each licensing renewal triennium, beginning January 1, 2017.

The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, the Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition, and twelve individuals provided testimony in support of this measure.

     Your Committee finds that Hawaii is one of only two states that does not require continuing education as part of its marriage and family therapist licensing laws.  Requiring marriage and family therapists to complete a minimum of certain continuing education credit hours will ensure that marriage and family therapists maintain their professional competency and keep abreast of the latest developments in their profession.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to July 1, 2014.

     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. 2466, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2466, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

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

____________________________

ANGUS L.K. McKELVEY, Chair