STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1297

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   S.B. No. 224

      S.D. 2

      H.D. 2

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Intrastate Commerce and Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred S.B. No. 224, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PSYCHOLOGY,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to ensure that students who need the services of a licensed school psychologist receive appropriate services by highly qualified and licensed professionals by:

     (1)  Establishing licensure and registration requirements for school psychologists to be administered by the Board of Psychology; and

     (2)  Amending the composition of the Board of Psychology to include two school psychologists.  

The Hawaii Association of School Psychologists, Hawaii Children's Action Network, and several concerned individuals supported this measure.  The Regulated Industries Complaints Office of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Department of Education, Hawaii Board of Psychology, Hawaii Psychological Association, and many concerned individuals offered comments.  

     Your Committees have amended this measure by:

     (1)  Clarifying that individuals who work within the scope of practice or duties of another licensed profession that overlaps with the practice of school psychology are allowed to work in educational settings without being licensed school psychologists; provided that the individual does not use the title "school psychologist" or "licensed school psychologist"; and

     (2)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2090, to promote further discussion.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Intrastate Commerce and Consumer Protection & Commerce that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 224, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommend that it be referred to your Committee on Finance, in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 224, S.D. 2, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Intrastate Commerce and Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________ ROY M. TAKUMI, Chair

____________________________ TAKASHI OHNO, Chair