Nevada AB 425: Revises provisions governing alcohol, drug and problem gambling counselors. (BDR 54-1031)

Bill Text

REQUIRES TWO-THIRDS MAJORITY VOTE (§ 2)

A.B. 425
- *AB425*

ASSEMBLY BILL NO. 425–ASSEMBLYMAN SPRINKLE

MARCH 27, 2017
____________

Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor

SUMMARY—Revises provisions governing alcohol, drug and
problem gambling counselors. (BDR 54-1031)

FISCAL NOTE: Effect on Local Government: Increases or Newly
Provides for Term of Imprisonment in County or City
Jail or Detention Facility.
Effect on the State: No.

~

EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted.

AN ACT relating to counselors; authorizing certain holders of
licenses and certificates issued by the Board of Examiners
for Alcohol, Drug and Gambling Counselors to place
those licenses and certificates on inactive status;
authorizing the Board to impose administrative sanctions
against a person who engages in certain activity without a
license or certificate; authorizing certain certified alcohol
and drug abuse counselors to supervise a certified alcohol
and drug abuse counselor intern; authorizing the Board to
impose disciplinary action in certain circumstances;
providing a penalty; and providing other matters properly
relating thereto.
Legislative Counsel’s Digest:
Existing law provides for the Board of Examiners for Alcohol, Drug and 1
Gambling Counselors to: (1) license clinical alcohol and drug abuse counselors and 2
alcohol and drug abuse counselors who have received a master’s or doctoral degree 3
in an approved field of social science; and (2) certify alcohol and drug abuse 4
counselors who have received a bachelor’s degree in an approved field of social 5
science, problem gambling counselors, clinical alcohol and drug abuse counselor 6
interns, alcohol and drug abuse counselor interns and problem gambling counselor 7
interns. (NRS 641C.330, 641C.340, 641C.350, 641C.390, 641C.420, 641C.430, 8
641C.440) Section 2 of this bill authorizes the holder of a license or certificate 9
issued by the Board, other than a certificate as an intern, to place the license or 10
certificate on inactive status if the license or certificate is in good standing and the 11
holder of the license or certificate has met all requirements for the issuance or 12
renewal of the license or certificate. Section 2 prohibits a person whose license is 13

– 2 –

- *AB425*
inactive from engaging in any work or activity that requires a license or certificate 14
issued by the Board in this State unless the license or certificate is returned to active 15
status. Violation of this provision is a misdemeanor. (NRS 641C.950) Section 6 of 16
this bill authorizes the Board to impose disciplinary action against a person who: 17
(1) violates this provision; or (2) engages in the practice of counseling problem 18
gamblers with an expired, suspended or revoked certificate. 19
Section 3 of this bill authorizes the Board to impose certain sanctions, 20
including an administrative penalty, against a person who: (1) provides services for 21
which a license or certificate issued by the Board is required without such a license 22
or certificate; or (2) falsely represents or implies that he or she has such a license or 23
certificate. 24
Under existing law, only a licensed alcohol and drug abuse counselor is 25
authorized to supervise a certified alcohol and drug abuse counselor intern. (NRS 26
641C.420) Sections 4 and 5 of this bill additionally authorize a certified alcohol 27
and drug abuse counselor who has been certified for at least 3 years and meets any 28
other requirements prescribed by the Board to supervise such an intern. 29

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN
SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1. Chapter 641C of NRS is hereby amended by adding 1
thereto the provisions set forth as sections 2 and 3 of this act. 2
Sec. 2. 1. The holder of a license or certificate issued by the 3
Board, other than a certified intern, may apply to the Board to 4
have his or her license or certificate placed on inactive status. The 5
Board may grant the application if the license or certificate is in 6
good standing and the holder of the license or certificate has met 7
all requirements for the issuance or renewal of the license or 8
certificate as of the date of the application. 9
2. If an application is granted pursuant to subsection 1, the 10
holder of the license or certificate shall not engage in any work or 11
activities that require a license or certificate issued by the Board in 12
this State unless the license or certificate is first returned to active 13
status. 14
3. The Board shall adopt regulations prescribing the: 15
(a) Procedure for submitting an application pursuant to this 16
section; 17
(b) Procedure and terms upon which a person whose license or 18
certificate has been placed on inactive status may resume work or 19
activities that require a license or certificate; 20
(c) Length of time that a license or certificate may remain on 21
inactive status; and 2