By Mrs. Canavan of Brockton, petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1874) of Christine E. Canavan and others for legislation to further define licensed mental health professional.  Mental Health and Substance Abuse.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PETITION OF:

Christine E. Canavan

Jennifer L. Flanagan

Pamela P. Resor

Anthony J. Verga

Timothy J. Toomey, Jr.

John A. Lepper

John W. Scibak

Michael W. Morrissey

Elizabeth A. Malia

William M. Straus

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In the Year Two Thousand and Seven.

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An Act improving access to rehabilitation counseling.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1. Section 22 of Chapter 32A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2004 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking the final paragraph and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:—
For the purposes of this section, “licensed mental health professional” shall mean a licensed physician who specializes in the practice of psychiatry, a licensed psychologist, a licensed independent clinical social worker, a licensed mental health counselor, a licensed nurse mental health clinical specialist, or a licensed rehabilitation counselor.

SECTION 2. Section 47b of Chapter 175 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2004 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking the second to last paragraph and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:—
For the purposes of this section, “licensed mental health professional” shall mean a licensed physician who specializes in the practice of psychiatry, a licensed psychologist, a licensed independent clinical social worker, a licensed mental health counselor, a licensed nurse mental health clinical specialist, or a licensed rehabilitation counselor.

SECTION 3. Section 8A of Chapter 176A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2004 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking the second to last paragraph and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:— For the purposes of this section, “licensed mental health professional” shall mean a licensed physician who specializes in the practice of psychiatry, a licensed psychologist, a licensed independent clinical social worker, a licensed mental health counselor, a licensed nurse mental health clinical specialist, or a licensed rehabilitation counselor.

SECTION 4. Section 4A of Chapter 176B of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2004 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking the second to last paragraph and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:— For the purposes of this section, “licensed mental health professional” shall mean a licensed physician who specializes in the practice of psychiatry, a licensed psychologist, a licensed independent clinical social worker, a licensed mental health counselor, a licensed nurse mental health clinical specialist, or a licensed rehabilitation counselor.

SECTION 5. Section 4M of Chapter 176G of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2004 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking the second to last paragraph and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:— For the purposes of this section, “licensed mental health professional” shall mean a licensed physician who specializes in the practice of psychiatry, a licensed psychologist, a licensed independent clinical social worker, a licensed mental health counselor, a licensed nurse mental health clinical specialist, or a licensed rehabilitation counselor.