HOUSE BILL 56

54th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2020

INTRODUCED BY

Elizabeth "Liz" Thomson and Dayan Hochman-Vigil

 

 

 

 

 

AN ACT

RELATING TO PROFESSIONAL LICENSES; REQUIRING THE REGULATION AND LICENSING DEPARTMENT TO PERFORM A STUDY OF CERTAIN BEHAVIORAL-HEALTH-RELATED BOARDS AND LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS FOR BEHAVIORAL-HEALTH-RELATED PROFESSIONS; REQUIRING REPORTS; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     SECTION 1. TEMPORARY PROVISION--STUDY OF BEHAVIORAL-HEALTH-RELATED LICENSING REQUIREMENTS--REPORTING.--

          A. The regulation and licensing department shall conduct a study of the licensing of behavioral-health-related professions by the following boards:

                (1) the counseling and therapy practice board;

                (2) the board of examiners for occupational therapy;

                (3) the New Mexico state board of psychologist examiners; and

                (4) the board of social work examiners.

          B. The study shall include:

                (1) an evaluation of each license overseen by each board as provided pursuant to Subsection A of this section;

                (2) a comparative analysis of each state's initial and renewal licensure requirements for the behavioral-health-related professions overseen by boards or commissions that are similar to those listed in Subsection A of this section;

                (3) identification of licensure requirements for behavioral-health-related professions that:

                     (a) are unique to New Mexico and not required in other states, which states shall be identified in the study; and

                     (b) could be eliminated or lessened to make licensure in New Mexico's behavioral-health-related professions easier and more efficient;

                (4) identification of opportunities for New Mexico to join existing interstate compacts through which licenses granted by member states in behavioral-health-related professions may be granted or recognized by other member states in a system of reciprocity or a similar system; and

                (5) an explanation of how each board listed in Subsection A of this section could improve licensure and renewal processes for applicants.

          C. The regulation and licensing department shall report its findings and recommendations to each board listed in Subsection A of this section by January 1, 2021.

          D. The regulation and licensing department shall report its findings and recommendations, including recommended executive and legislative actions, to the legislative health and human services committee by October 1, 2021.

     SECTION 2. APPROPRIATION.--Two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the regulation and licensing department for expenditure in fiscal years 2021 and 2022 for a study of the licensing of behavioral-health-related professions as provided in Section 1 of this act. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2022 shall revert to the general fund.

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