STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1085-20

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2020

 

RE:   S.B. No. 2877

      S.D. 1

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Intrastate Commerce, to which was referred S.B. No. 2877, S.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:

 

     (1)  Clarify that the practicum internship experience requirement shall be included with the coursework in counseling requirement for mental health counselors; and

 

     (2)  Clarify the supervision requirements of licensure for mental health counselors by permitting applicants to fulfill all or part of their face-to-face clinical supervision requirement by a videoconference service.  

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; University of Hawaii at Hilo; Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition; Democratic Party of Hawaii; Aloha House, Inc.; and five individuals.

 

     Your Committee finds that the companion to this measure, H.B. No. 2321, H.D. 2 (Regular Session of 2020), a substantially similar measure, was previously passed by your Committee. 

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by deleting its contents and inserting the contents of H.B. No. 2321, H.D. 2, which amends this measure by:

 

     (1)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

 

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of 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. 2877, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2877, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

TAKASHI OHNO, Chair