Senate Committee Passed Out Compact Bill Favorably

Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee held a hearing on HB 2484 on Monday - March 18th. The Committee was presented with 16 pieces of written testimony in favor of the Bill and three individuals who testified orally in favor of the bill.

There was no opposition testimony in writing in or in-person. Due to time constraints the Committee was able to only hear from Representative Susan Ruiz the sponsor of the Bill, NASW-KS Chapter Executive Director Becky Fast, and BSRB Director David Fye.

BSRB championed an amendment to increase the fee on social workers to access the multi-state license. NASW-KS Chapter testified against the fee increase. The Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee denied BSRB’s request to increase fees on social workers and passed it out without their requested fee increase on March 20th.

HB 2484 is on the Senate calendar to be vote on by the full Senate on March 25th.

Representative Susan Ruiz, LSCW and HB 2484 bill sponsor testifying at Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee.

Social Work Compact Bill Passed the KS House

Exciting News! 🎉🥳 The Social Work Licensing Compact Bill (HB2484) that NASW Kansas Chapter has championed for the past year passed the Kansas House with a vote of 118-2. Thank you to all the social workers who let their voices be heard and contacted their state representative. Next step is to get a hearing in the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee given the end of March is the last possible time for Standing Committees to hear bills.

Housing Hearing on Social Work Compact

Compact Bill Introduced

Social Work Interstate Mobility Licensing Bill Introduced in the House

NASW-KS is excited to report that the Social Work Compact Bill HB 2484 was introduced in the Kansas House on the first day of the Kansas Session amidst a snow storm. The Bill was assigned to the Committee on Health and Human Services. Thank you to HHS Chair Brenda Landwehr and Ranking Minority Leader Representative Susan Ruiz, LSCSW for sponsoring this legislation.

Thank you to advocacy of social workers that last year's historic licensing reforms were passed through the Kansas Legislature. We will keep you informed on the Bill's progress.

This is amazing progress and a testament to the advocacy of social workers!

Historic Reforms

Landmark Licensing Reforms to Decrease Barriers for Social Workers

Senate Bill 131 (HB 2340) a bipartisan bill was signed into law on May 9th to expand the state’s mental health and health care workforce and improves access to care. HB 2340 was inserted into Senate Bill 131 inConference Committee.

HB 2340 streamlines the process for marriage and family therapists, professional counselors, psychologists, social workers to obtain and maintain licenses from the Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board.

The bill passed 38-2 in the Senate and 118-4 in the House.

Testimony during the legislative session indicated that Kansas has a far worse facing a shortage of clinically trained mental health responders than our neighboring states and is worsening as baby boomers retire and the demand for mental health care increases.

A report by the Kansas Health Institute last year examined the shortage of licensed specialist clinical social workers in Kansas.

There are 1,141 practicing licensed specialist clinical social workers reporting a Kansas physical address, or one for every 2,575 Kansans. There are 1,004, or 88%, located in urban areas and 137, or 12%, located in rural parts of Kansas. The population per social worker in Kansas is 2,132 to 1 for urban areas and 5,816 to 1 for rural areas.

Northeast Kansas has the most favorable ratio, with one licensed specialist clinical social worker for every 2,088 Kansans in the region, and has more than half of such workers in the state.

Key Changes for Social Workers

The bill streamlines and reduces costly obstacles for social workers to obtain and maintain licenses from the Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board.

Some of the streamlining includes:

• Reciprocity for LBSW/LMSW from 48 months to 12 months.

• A new two year temporary license to provide more time to pass the ASWB examination.

• A new expedited licensing process for an additional $100 fee. The bill also requires decisions on completed applications to be issued within 30 business days. There is no time limit currently on license processing.

• Expands practice and agency settings that will qualify for a clinical practicum and will allow more flexibility for a LMSW to pursue a LSCSW at their workplace. Kansas will now be in line with requirements of neighboring states.

• Removes the extra college coursework to pursue a LSCSW. Kansas social workers for the past 20 years have been financially burdened with taking up to 15 hours of college classes above and beyond graduating from an accredited social work program. This occurs when a LMSW can't prove graduate clinical coursework with their syllabus from their graduate degree. This requirement has been unique to Kansas licensing rules. The mandate has been incentive for KS social workers interested in pursuing a LSCSW to move or work in a neighboring state rather than acquiring the expense and time of going back to graduate college for an additional 15 hours.

• Removed the supervisor mandate to become a BSRB Board Approved Supervisor that was proposed in the bill by BSRB for a LSCSW to supervise a LMSW to become a LSCSW.

• The bill will create a new type of temporary license for certain applicants who have graduated from a social work program, including an online social work program, that is in candidacy from a national accrediting body recognized by the Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board (BSRB). 

• Last, the bill reduces the licensing fee charged to reinstate an expired license to attract retirees to practice again.

Advocacy in Action

Due to social workers and mental health advocates joining together, we were successful in advocating for several key reform measures that were added to the Bill after the hearings.

A big shout out to the bravery and courage of the social workers who testified at the hearings to amend the proposed bill.

Also big thank you to Representative Susan Ruiz (our social worker in the the legislature) who championed the bill through the process.

Representative Susan Ruiz, LSCSW and Becky Fast, NASW-KS Chapter Executive Director

Courageous Survivors Bring Forth Reforms in Child Sexual Abuse Laws

Gov. Laura Kelly signed House Bill 2127 into law, capping a multiyear effort to reform the statute of limitations, which imposes a limited time frame for survivors to seek justice.

It was a tough and long-fought battle, but thanks to the courageous survivors who came forward to share their stories, this important piece of legislation will finally become law in the state of Kansas,

Two social workers and survivors - Lesa Patterson-Kinsey and Kim Bergman were driving forces behind the proposal spending every week in the Capitol throughout the KS Legislative Session. They both are thrilled after a long road that the bill is now law and proud to have worked for years with survivors, legislators, and organizations.

NASW KS Chapter is proud to have worked with these two amazing social workers and the coalition of advocates as they brought forth justice and reforms in Kansas law.

More information here

Governor Kelly Vetos Impacting Social Workers

Governor Kelly Vetos  

2023 Kansas Legislative Session

Governor Kelly line-item veto regarding a prohibition on licensure requirements concerning diversity, equity, inclusion and anti- racism .

HB 2184 included language prohibiting BSRB that licenses social workers from requiring any applicant for licensure to demonstrate familiarity with or support of any training, education, or instruction program that includes diversity, equity, inclusion, anti-racism or other related topics.

Governor Kelly line-item veto a provision in the Legislature’s budget that would’ve banned universities from asking faculty members, students and contractors about diversity, equity and inclusion, unless the DEI was thought to be relevant to the person’s field. 

The budget stipulated that applicants didn’t need to go through or demonstrate understanding of education and instruction programs for DEI, anti-racism or other related topics — except for equal opportunity protections against discrimination covered by state and federal law.

DEI-Higher education: The Legislature failed to override Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto of budget measure preventing state universities from asking job applicants about diversity, equity and inclusion failed to survive in the House. The House came up five votes short of overriding Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto of a budget proviso barring state universities from demanding job applicants to articulate their experience or commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Interstate Licensing Compact Update

Interstate Licensing Compact Update: NASW supports changes to the Model Social Work Interstate Compact Bill under development following the convening of partnering organizations with the Council of State Governments.

NASW representatives left the meeting in good faith after collaboratively working with the Technical Assistance Group to craft the final draft of the compact legislation and are awaiting the final language modifications to confirm and validate the Association’s position related to the release of the Model Social Work Interstate Compact legislation. Based upon NASW representees’ feedback, the Association anticipates the following significant highlights to be part of the final draft, which will enhance the interest of our members and the social work profession at large:

• Increased flexibilities for states that may remove requirements for BSW and/or MSW Examinations to still allow social workers within their jurisdictions access to the Social Work Compact.

• Increased number of Ex-Officio Seats on the Social Work Interstate Compact Commission that will support increased stakeholder representation by partnering organizations as part of the governing body.

• The Commission will hold the authority to consider and adapt to alternative methods of measuring competency (in lieu of the use of an examination if so indicated).

According to a statement released by CSG after the meeting last week, the Model Social Work Compact Bill will be finalized and ready for state enactment by February 27, 2023. Seven states must enact the Model Social Work Compact Bill in its entirety before the Compact Commission and infrastructure necessary to implement it can be put in place.

NASW officials in a Case Management Today article explained that achieving an Interstate Licensing Compact for Social Work is a significant action that will give Social Workers greater practice mobility. But the process is also complicated.

Learn more here:

Gov. Kelly Signs Landmark Bill Impacting Mental Health Services, Salaries, and Licensing

We are thrilled to share that a bill that NASW Kansas identified as a priority bill and actively engaged in supporting via testimony and public awareness campaigns in 2020-2021 Legislative Session is now enacted in law.

On Thursday June 10, 2021, NASW - Kansas Chapter - Executive Director attended a press conference and ceremonial signing of House Bill 2208.  This Bill represents the most significant piece of state legislation since the Kansas Mental Health Reform Act of 1990.

Licensing Reforms Championed by KS Chapter

Key Statutory Changes:

Changes to Hour Requirement for Clinical Training Plan

The fields of master’s level psychology, professional counseling, marriage and family therapy, and addiction counseling followed the lead of Kansas NASW with statutory changes that KNASW championed for social workers and were passed in 2019.

• HB 2208 decreases the number of hours for the above professions of required post-graduate supervised work experience towards a clinical license, from 4,000 hours to 3,000 hours, and lowers the total number of required direct supervision hours from 150 hours to 100 hours

Expanded Authorization of Supervision by Televideo

HB 2208 authorizes that clinical supervision hours can be completed over televideo, rather than requiring hours to be in-person.

Clinical Social Work In-Person/Direct Client Contact Hours

HB 2208 strikes statutory language previously requiring 350 hours of direct-client, in-person contact practicum hours required for licensure as a clinical social worker. Kansas was the only state in the nation that required an additional 350 hours above and beyond every other state in the nation for the MSW clinical practicum for students seeking LSCSW licensure. This requirement exceeded the national standard required by the Council of Social Work Education and by licensing boards across the nation. MSW will still have to complete the hours required by the Council of Social Work Education.

• Going forward, there is not a licensing requirement for a specific number of in-person hours as a part of the clinical level - MSW social work practicum in order to meet the LSCSW licensure law. The Council of Social Work Education sets the accreditation standards for the hours required within the BSW and MSW practicum.

Increased Hours Allowed for Group Supervision in LSCSW Training Plan

Going forward at least 50 hours of supervision should be individual supervision and now 50 hours can be completed through group supervision. In addition - this change in law allows televideo supervision.

HB 2208 establishes Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics

“This is the biggest change in mental health in Kansas in 30 years,” Representative Landwehr said. “That’s how big this is.” Thank you to the bi-partisan group of legislators working together that made this happen.

NASW Kansas Chapter joined other lawmakers and Gov. Laura Kelly today to celebrate the passage in April of House Bill 2208. The Bill also contains historic licensing reform changes that NASW-KS Chapter has fought for and was able to include in this Bill that will expand access to licensed social workers. Social workers working toward licensure will now be able use telehealth, telephonic, and have less regulatory hurdles if interested in working toward clinical licensure. 

The Bill also contains a transformative section of the legislation requires state agencies to certify 26 community-based mental health centers as behavioral health clinics within three years and set new rates for the services they provide. The state estimates this investment eventually will total $74 million annually. 

The additional funding for our community mental health centers will help them recruit and retain social workers through increasing salaries in order to be more competitive and provide more opportunities to promote staff within with salary enhancements.

As stated this bipartisan CCBHC bill represents the most significant piece of state legislation since the Kansas Mental Health Reform Act of 1990 and provides us a roadmap forward to improving the health and well-being of all Kansans.

Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) are the leading shift in improving access to high-quality mental health and addiction treatment nationally and are making a difference in the lives of thousands. We are grateful that our state legislators have voted to support this move for mental wellness for Kansans and look forward to being able to enhance

COVID-19, Telehealth, and Licensing

ADVOCACY WORKS

Kansas Chapter has been hard at work to ensure pandemic-related supports for social workers and our clients. We have worked hard to be your voice at the table regarding the following licensing regulatory changes.

Proposed Regulatory Licensing Changes

Join NASW-KS and receive timely emails on the progress of these regulatory changes.

1) Clinical Supervision Through Electronic Options

Good News:

Active Discussion in the process by BSRB regarding allowing supervision conducted through face-to-face either in person or, if confidentiality is technologically protected, by video conferencing and in emergent situations with telephonic means.

2) Telephonic Services
Kansas Chapter has heard from many social workers impacted barriers related to digital access and serve clients without videoconferencing technology. KS Chapter Board of Directors presented testimony at the last two BSRB Board meetings to allow telephonic (audio) services.

Good News:
BSRB is currently discussing regulatory changes to allow telephonic service during student practicums and within the LSCSW training plan. Licensing Boards across the nation and insurance companies including Medicare/Medicaid have allowed flexibility for electronic means including telephonic services during this pandemic.

3) Current barriers for graduate-level social work students
Kansas requires MSW students to complete 350 in-person client hours to obtain a clinical level social work license (Article 63 – Social Workers, 65-6306). Many graduate students are having difficulty completing their required 350 in-person hours due to COVID-19. Kansas Chapter has been working with BSRB and the Governor's office regarding this regulatory barrier as our nation and state faces a mental health crisis. Our social work graduates are so critical to meeting those needs. We have been advocating to remove the 350 in-person hour requirement and to allow televideo and telephonic services to count as direct client contact during the MSW student practicum.

Good News:
BSRB is currently discussing moving forward with changes to include services through electronic methods.

Successful COVID-19 Related Advocacy Efforts

Teletherapy Counting Toward the 1,500 hours of Direct Clinical Contact for LSCSW

KS Chapter has been a strong voice advocating that teletherapy should count toward the required 1,500 hours of direct client contact. Upon reviewing the Kansas Telemedicine Act, BSRB did issue guidance that client contact via tele-video electronic devices may be used toward the accrual of the 1,500-hour requirement.

YOUR VOICE MATTERS

Having a social work association in Kansas matters!