Rhode Island HB 7269: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- LICENSE PROCEDURE FOR SOCIAL WORKERS (Allows individuals who have received their masters of social work from an accredited college or university within the past 18 months to practice within the field prior to obtaining a license.)

Bill Text

2022 -- H 7269 SUBSTITUTE A
========
LC003901/SUB A/2
========
S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022
____________

A N A C T
RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- LICENSE PROCEDURE FOR
SOCIAL WORKERS
Introduced By: Representatives Caldwell, Craven, Carson, Speakman, Fogarty, Solomon,
Filippi, Casimiro, Shanley, and Alzate
Date Introduced: February 02, 2022
Referred To: House Corporations

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 5-39.1-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 5-39.1 entitled "License 1
Procedure for Social Workers" is hereby amended to read as follows: 2
5-39.1-4. Social worker privilege. 3
(a) No licensee under this chapter or an employee of a licensee may disclose any 4
information acquired from clients or persons consulting with the licensee to render professional 5
services except: 6
(1) With the written consent of the person(s) or, in the case of death or disability, of the 7
individual's personal representative, or person authorized to sue, or the beneficiary of an insurance 8
policy on an individual's life, health, or physical conditions; 9
(2) When there is a clear and present danger to the safety of the patient or client or to other 10
individuals; 11
(3) When a person is a minor under the laws of this state and the information acquired by 12
the licensee involves abuse of the minor, the licensee is required to report this pursuant to § 40-11-13
3 and may be required to testify fully in an examination, trial, or other proceeding in which the 14
commission of this crime is the subject of inquiry; 15
(4) When the person licensed or certified under this chapter is a party defendant to a civil, 16
criminal, or disciplinary action arising from a complaint filed by the patient or client, in which case 17
the waiver shall be limited to that action; 18

LC003901/SUB A/2 - Page 2 of 3
(5) When the licensee is called upon to testify in court or administrative hearings 1
concerning the potential for abuse or neglect in foster and adoptive placements; or 2
(6) When the licensee is collaborating or consulting with an administrative superior on 3
behalf of the client. 4
(b) The provisions of this chapter do not apply to the following individuals: 5
(1) Qualified members of other professions or occupations engaging in practices similar in 6
nature to clinical social work; provided, that they are authorized by the laws of this state to engage 7
in similar practices, do not represent themselves as a "licensed clinical social worker" or "licensed 8
independent clinical social worker," and do not characterize their practices as clinical social work; 9
(2) Students engaged in doctorate- or master's-level study in a school of social work 10
accredited by the council on social work education; provided, that the students are practicing as 11
part of a supervised course of study and designated by such titles as "social-work intern," "social-12
work trainee," "social-work student," or others clearly indicating training status; or 13
(3) State employees.; or 14
(4) Individuals who have attained a masters of social work from an accredited college or 15
university within the last eighteen (18) months as long as that individual meets all of the following 16
conditions: 17
(i) The individual is authorized to take the examination required pursuant to regulations 18
promulgated by the department, and has not previously failed that examination more than once; 19
(ii) The individual performs all such social work services under the direct personal 20
supervision of a person who holds a valid Rhode Island license as a licensed independent clinical 21
social worker pursuant to § 5-39.1-8; 22
(iii) The individual is designated or identified as “social-work intern”, “social-work 23
trainee” or other clearly indicating training status; and 24
(iv) The individual does not hold themselves out to the public as any title or description 25
which states or implies that the individual is licensed to practice social work in Rhode Island. 26
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. 27
========
LC003901/SUB A/2
========

LC003901/SUB A/2 - Page 3 of 3
EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- LICENSE PROCEDURE FOR
SOCIAL WORKERS
***
This act would allow individuals who have received their masters of social work from an 1
accredited college or university within the last eighteen (18) months to practice within the field 2
prior to obtaining a license to do so, so long as they have not failed the examination for licensing 3
more than once, work directly under the supervision of an individual who is licensed as an 4
independent clinical social worker in Rhode Island, are designated as an intern or trainee, and 5
refrain from portraying to the public that they are licensed to practice social work in Rhode Island. 6
This act would take effect upon passage. 7
========
LC003901/SUB A/2
========