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Approved Legislation - 2004

For further information regarding legislation see California's Legislative Information website which provides the bill's language, history, status, and analysis as provided by the California State Legislature. For further information regarding approved legislation, contact the Board office at (916) 574-7830.

You can download the current version of the Board's Statutes and Regulations Relating to the Practice of Marriage and Family Therapy, Educational Psychology, and Clinical Social Work. The Board's Statutes and Regulations contain sections of the California Business and Professions Code and the California Code of Regulations. The publication also contains miscellaneous code sections from the California Health and Safety Code and the California Welfare and Institutions Code.

The following legislation became effective January 1, 2004:

AB 116 (Nakano)
This legislation indicates that the provisions of law regulating telemedicine apply to the practice of a Marriage and Family Therapist and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and references the sections of law that pertain to telemedicine.

AB 938 (Yee)
This legislation requires the Board to charge a $10.00 assessment to Marriage and Family Therapist and Licensed Clinical Social Worker license renewals in order to assist in funding the Licensed Mental Health Service Provider Education Fund. This fund will provide grants to licensed mental health professionals who provide direct patient care in a publicly funded facility or a mental health professional shortage area as defined.

SB 362 (Figueroa)
This bill increases the administrative fine limit from $2,500 to $5,000.

SB 363 (Joint Legislative Sunset Review Committee)
This bill broadens the Board’s authority to administer a written examination, or an oral examination, or both.

SB 564 Speier)
This legislation requires persons who begin graduate studies on and after January 1, 2004, to complete 15 hours of coursework in domestic violence for licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist or Licensed Clinical Social Worker.

• It also requires licensees who began graduate studies prior to January 1, 2004, to complete a one-time continuing education course in domestic violence taken during the first license renewal period after January 1, 2004.
• The Board may accept evidence of completion of an equivalent course taken prior to January 1, 2004, or may accept prior teaching or practice experience in order to fulfill the continuing education requirement. In addition, the course can count toward the required 36 hours of continuing education if it is taken through an approved provider.

SB 1077 (Business and Professions Committee)
This legislation makes the following changes:

• Allows an MFT Intern to apply hours of experience gained under separate registrations toward the requirements for licensure,
• Specifies the number of continuing education hours required for reactivation of an inactive LCSW or MFT license,
• Deletes the specific settings in which MFT Trainees, MFT Interns, and Associate Clinical Social Workers gain experience, and further elaborates on the experience requirements,
• Clarifies the responsibilities of work settings,
• Allows Associates to gain additional hours of experience under a licensed mental health professional acceptable to the Board,
• Specifies a required amount of supervision that Associates must gain under a LCSW,
• Restructures the sections of law pertaining to supervised experience, and
• Requires a seven-hour spousal and partner abuse continuing education course for LCSWs and MFTs renewing their license on and after January 1, 2005.

Updated: January 28, 2008