STAND. COM. REP. NO.  260-16

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2016

RE:   H.B. No. 1629

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 1629 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATED TO LICENSED MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPISTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to conform the use of the professional designation of licensed marriage and family therapists in this State with the standard designation used in most other states by authorizing appropriately licensed professionals to use the title of licensed marriage and family therapist.

The Marriage and Family Therapists Program of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Hawaii Association for Marriage and Family Therapist, Grace Works, Windward Therapy, and numerous individuals testified in support of this measure.  The Regulated Industries Complaints Office of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs provided comments on this measure.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Clarifying that appropriately licensed professionals may use either the title marriage and family therapist or licensed marriage and family therapist, which will allow the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs' Regulated Industries Complaints Office to enforce professional licensing requirements and restrictions against any person who misuses either title; and

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

     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 H.B. No. 1629, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1629, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

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

____________________________

ANGUS L.K. McKELVEY, Chair