Sectional Analysis for HB 192

SECTION 1 - establishes Chapter 19, Chemical Dependency Counselors under Title 8 of the Alaska Statutes.

Sec. 08.19.010 - creates a five member Board, appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation with a four year term. Board membership requires the person be licensed under this chapter and appointments should reflect the regional and cultural diversity of this state. Provides an election process for board officers.

Sec. 08.19.020 - establishes and defines the power and duties of the board to review training, education and work experience of individual applicants; issue licenses; establish continuing education requirements for licensure renewal; review and approve training programs, sites and trainers for practicums or internships; provision for semi-annual board meetings; and establishes process to adopt regulations.

Sec. 08.19.050 - establishes licensing requirement to practice chemical dependency counseling. Imposes restrictions on unlicensed individuals. Provides exemptions if performance is within the scope of the person's regular or specialized duties and the person is held accountable for: (a) religious practitioners, (b) religious sponsored individuals, (c) recognized Tribal traditional healers, (d) supervised students/trainees of an accredited institution or training program; (e) other state licensed individuals, and (f) voluntary group-based self-help assistance, such as 12-step programs. Establishes violation of this section to be a class B misdemeanor.

Sec. 08.19.060 - establishes qualifications and examinations for the levels of licensure sought.

Sec. 08.19.070 - establishes license qualifications and scope of practice for a Counselor Associate. Authorizes the board to set standards of training and education for this level of licensure. Provides for the scope of practice of performance under direct supervision of a licensed Counselor I, II, or Clinical Supervisor for this level of licensure.

Sec. 08.19.080 - establishes license qualifications and scope of practice for a Counselor I. Authorizes the board to set standards of training and education for this level of licensure. Provides the scope of practice of performance under supervision of a licensed Counselor II or a Clinical Supervisor either directly or by means of regular documented clinical consultation for this level of licensure.

Sec. 08.19.090 - establishes license qualifications and scope of practice for a Counselor II. Authorizes the board to set standards of training and education for this level of licensure. Provides the scope of practice of performance to direct the supervision of a counselor associate or counselor I; consult with a licensed chemical dependency counselor or another licensed behavioral health professional; perform under the supervision of a clinical supervisor either directly or by means of regular documented clinical consultation for this level of licensure; authorizes treatment recommendation as to whether commitment is necessary.

Sec. 08.19.100 - establishes license qualifications and scope of practice for a Clinical Supervisor. Authorizes the board to set standards designed to ensure that the work experience, practicum, training, and education have given the applicant knowledge and competency in the areas specified. Provides the scope of practice of performance to direct the supervision of a counselor associate, counselor I, or counselor II; performance of activity within the scope of a counselor II and; use of documented peer review or consultation with another licensed behavioral health professional.

Sec. 08.19.120 - authorizes the board to issue license for a chemical dependency counselor under reciprocity. An individual licensed in proven good standing of another jurisdiction whose standards are equivalent to the qualifications under this chapter may receive a license at an equivalent level.

Sec. 08.19.200 - authorizes the boards ability to deny license under this chapter or after a hearing. Authorizes the board to impose disciplinary sanctions under AS 08.01.075 after findings.

Sec. 08.19.990 - definitions

SECTION 2 - amends AS 08.01.010, Applicability of chapter. Adds new paragraph: Board of Chemical Dependency Counseling Examiners.

SECTION 3 - amends AS 08.03.010, Termination dates for regulatory boards. Adds new paragraph: Board of Chemical Dependency Counseling Examiners.

SECTION 4 - amends AS 44.62.330, Application of AS 44.62.330 - 44.62.630. Adds new paragraph: Board of Chemical Dependency Counseling Examiners.

SECTION 5 - provides for transitional licensing. Authorizes the board to issue appropriate level of license to an applicant who applies before September 30, 1998 or to an individual who holds a comparable certificate from the Alaska Commission for Chemical Dependency Professionals Certification.

SECTION 6 - provides for initial board members terms under AS 39.05.055, Staggered initial terms. Establishes a deadline of March 30, 1998 for an initial board member to complete required licensing established by this chapter. Provides for board membership forfeiture.

SECTION 7 - effective date of March 30, 1998.

Qualifications and Scope of Practice for License

Counselor Associate: Sec. 08.19.070

• complete one year successful full-time work related experience or,
• 150 contact hours of training or,
• 10 semester hours of academic education or,
• combination of contact training and academic "content equivilent" education from a source that meets requirements established by the board in its regulations.
• demonstrate competency in:

1. communication skills
2. knowledge of addictive substances
3. knowledge of legal aspects of chemical dependency
4. familiarity with socialogical and cultural issues
5. knowledge of community-based services
6. ability in information and referral techniques
7. conduct intake interviews
8. keep records
9. knowledge of basic treatment issues
10. perform appropriate aftercare and emergency care

• scope of practice to include performance under direct supervision of a counselor I, II or a clinical supervisor of the following:

1. basic community-based prevention or intervention services
2. initial emergency care
3. initial intake interviews
4. providing information and referrals
5. participation in initial treatment planning
6. case management services
7. group and community-based informational aftercare

Counselor I: Sec. 08.19.080

• complete 100 hours of a practicum supervised by a counselor II or a clinical supervisor or another licensed behavioral health professional to include 15 hours each in:

1. screening
2. assessment
3. referral
4. record keeping; and either:

• two years successful full-time related experience
• a bachelor's degree or higher in an area of behavioral health (may be substituted for one year of experience)
• 270 contact hours of specialized training or,
• 18 semester hours of academic education or,
• combination of contact training and academic "content equivilent" education from a source that meets requirements established by the board in its regulations.
• demonstrate competency and knowledge about chemical dependency in:

1. sociological and cultural issues
2. theories of counseling
3. medical and psychological aspects
4. HIV and AIDS counseling and resources
5. ethical standards and laws related to chemical dependency
6. contemporary health issues
7. family dynamics
8. intake and assessment procedures
9. record keeping
10. intervention services
11. individual and group counseling
12. treatment planning
13. aftercare planning
14. relapse prevention

• provide information and referrals in:

1. case management
2. suicide risk assessment
3. crisis counseling follow-up

• scope of practice to include performance under direct supervision of a counselor II or a clinical supervisor either directly or by means of regular documented clinical consultation of:

1. activity within the scope of practice of a counselor associate and,
2. in relation to treatment:
3. a complete psycho-social assessment
4. assessment for social detoxification
5. treatment planning
6. individual therapy or group therapy

Counselor II: Sec. 08.19.090

• complete 300 hours of practicum supervised by a clinical supervisor or another behavioral health professional to include 15 hours each in:

1. intake screening and orientation assessment
2. information and referral
3. treatment planning
4. counseling
5. intervention counseling
6. case management
7. crisis intervention
8. client education
9. case recording and reports
10. clinical consultation to chemical dependency treatment

• three years successful full-time work related experience with duties and responsibilities comparable to a licensed counselor I
• completion of a bachelor's degree or higher with 20 semester hours of courses in chemical dependency may be substituted for one year of the required experience
• 270 contact hours of specialized training with the content and from a source that meets the established requirements
• demonstrates knowledge and competency in:

1. mental illness
2. chemical dependency prevention strategies
3. community development
4. Alaskan history and cultural perspective in chemical dependency

• scope of practice to include:

1. the direct supervision of a counselor associate or counselor I
2. consultation with another licensed professional or a licensed behavioral health professional
3. performs under the direct supervision of a clinical supervisor or with regular documents clinical consultation with either a counselor II or another licensed behavioral health professional of an activity within the scope of practice of a counselor I
4. in relation to treatment of a person, preparation of a recommendation as to whether commitment is necessary

Clinical Supervisor: Sec. 08.19.100

• completed two years of clinical supervisory experience
• completed five years of successful full-time work experience with duties and responsibilities comparable to a licensed counselor II and with the consultation of a counselor II, clinical supervisor or other licensed behavioral health professional
• completion of a master's degree or higher in human services with 20 semester hours of courses in chemical dependency and,
• 400 hours of supervised clinical practicum may be substituted for two years of required experience
• 30 contact hours of specialized training with the content and from a source that meets the established requirements
• demonstrate knowledge and competency in:

1. clinical supervision
2. child and adolescent counseling
3. community development
4. family systems
5. designing culturally sensitive services

• scope of practice includes:

1. the direct supervision of a counselor associate, counselor I, or a counselor II
2. performance of activity within the scope of practice of a clinical supervisor
3. in relation to treatment, use of peer review or other documented consultation with another licensed behavioral health professional