STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1433-18

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2018

RE: S.B. No. 2647

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Intrastate Commerce, to which was referred S.B. No. 2647, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELORS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to provide an applicant for mental health counselor licensure with more flexibility in completing the required practicum experience hours by permitting the completion of the requisite number of practicum experience hours within two academic terms instead of requiring a minimum number of practicum experience hours per academic term.

The Professional and Vocational Licensing Division of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; Case Management Works Hi. Inc.; Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i; and several concerned individuals supported this measure. The Maui Service Area Board on Mental Health and Substance Abuse of the Department of Health opposed this measure.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Intrastate Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2647, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2647, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Intrastate Commerce,

____________________________

TAKASHI OHNO, Chair