BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 1797

By: Naishtat

Human Services

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Currently, a person is not allowed to identify himself or herself as a social worker until the person has passed certain licensing examinations conducted by the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners. In order to be eligible for the social work licensing examination, an applicant must have a degree from an educational program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. This means that a student who successfully completes the educational requirements of a social work program that is in candidacy for accreditation is not eligible to take the state licensure exam until the program becomes accredited.

C.S.H.B. 1797 seeks to ensure that a social worker who has earned a degree in social work has an opportunity to sit for the licensing exam by allowing an individual who has a degree in social work from a social work program that is in candidacy for accreditation to sit for the licensure examination. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 1797 amends the Occupations Code to include as an applicant authorized to take the master social worker license examination conducted by the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners an applicant who possesses a doctoral or master's degree in social work from a graduate program that is in candidacy for accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education.  The bill includes as an applicant authorized to take the baccalaureate social worker license examination conducted by the board an applicant who possesses a baccalaureate degree in social work from an educational program that is in candidacy for accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2011.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 1797 omits a provision included in the original prohibiting a person from engaging in the practice of social work unless the person holds an appropriate license.