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                    MINUTES OF THE HOUSE
                WORKFORCE SERVICES AND COMMUNITY
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STANDING COMMITTEE
Room W025, West Office Building, State Capitol Complex


March 2, 2009

MEMBERS PRESENT:        Rep. Steven Mascaro, Chair
                    Rep. Christopher Herrod, Vice Chair                         
                    Rep. F. Jay Seegmiller
                    Rep. Christine Watkins

MEMBERS EXCUSED:         Rep. David Litvack
                    Rep. Rebecca Lockhart
    
                             
MEMBERS ABSENT:        Rep. Kay McIff
                    Rep. Kenneth Sumsion

STAFF PRESENT:            Arthur L. Hunsaker, Policy Analyst
                    Karen Mitchell, Committee Secretary
                    
Note:     A list of visitors and a copy of handouts are filed with the committee minutes .


Rep. Mascaro called the meeting to order at 4:20 p.m.

MOTION:    Rep. Watkins moved to approve the minutes of the February 12, 2009 meeting. The motion passed unanimously.

H.B. 174    Licensing of Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors (Rep. R. Menlove)

Rep. Mascaro introduced the bill to the committee with the assistance of Donald R. Uchida, Executive Director, Utah State Office of Rehabilitation.

MOTION:    Rep. Herrod moved to amend the bill as follows:

1.    Page 2, Line 59 through Page 3, Line 61 :    

             59          (a) in
  public or       private practice;

             60          (b) for compensation; and
             61          (c) involving the application of principles, methods, or procedures of the vocational

2.    Page 4, Lines 96 through 97 :    

             96          (1) Except as provided in Subsection
{   (2)   }        (3)       , an applicant for licensure

as a vocational


             97      rehabilitation counselor under this chapter shall:

3.    Page 4, Lines 102 through 106 :    

             102      counseling or a related field
{   and   }        ;

    (e) provide satisfactory evidence of having  
4,000 hours of work experience under the supervision of a

             103      licensed vocational rehabilitation counselor
  , except as otherwise provided in Subsection (2)       ; and

             104          
{   (e)   }        (f)       after January 1, 2011, meet the examination requirement established by rule by the

             105      division in collaboration with the board.
             106          (2)
  Beginning January 1, 2010, and ending December 31, 2011, an applicant is not required to verify that the 4,000 hours of work experience required under Subsection (1)(e) was done under the supervision of a vocational rehabilitation counselor licensed under this chapter.

    (3)  
The division may issue a license under this chapter to an individual who is licensed


4.    Page 4, Lines 116 through 117 :    

             116          (3) Each license automatically expires on the expiration date shown on the license
             117      unless renewed by the licensee in accordance with Section 58-1-308 .
 

    (4) Each person holding a license under this chapter as a vocational rehabilitation counselor shall complete in each two-year period of licensure a program of qualifying continuing professional education in accordance with standards defined by rule.  


The motion to amend passed unanimously.

Rep. Menlove arrived and further explained the bill to the committee.

Spoke for the bill:    Kris Fawson, Coalition for People with Disabilities

MOTION:    Rep. Herrod moved to amend the bill as follows:


1.    Page 4, Lines 96 through 97 :    

             96          (1) Except as provided in Subsection
{   (2)   }        (3)       , an applicant for licensure as a vocational

             97      rehabilitation counselor under this chapter shall:

2.    Page 4, Lines 104 through 106 :    

             104          (e) after January 1, 2011, meet the examination requirement established by rule by the
             105      division in collaboration with the board.
             106          (2)
  An applicant may satisfy the requirement of Subsection (1)(d) if, prior to January 1, 2011, the applicant provides satisfactory evidence of:

    (a) having earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution;
    (b) at least ten years experience in vocational rehabilitation counseling or a related field;
    (c) currently practicing vocational rehabilitation counseling in Utah; and
    (d) holding a national certification as a:
    (i) Certified Rehabilitation Counselor;
    (ii) Certified Vocational Evaluator; or
    (iii) Certified Disability Management Specialist.
    (3)  
The division may issue a license under this chapter to an individual who is licensed


The motion to amend passed unanimously.

MOTION:    Rep. Seegmiller moved to pass the bill out favorably as amended. The motion passed unanimously.

MOTION:    Rep. Seegmiller moved to adjourn. The motion passed unanimously.

Rep. Mascaro adjourned the meeting at 4:35 p.m.





                    _________________________________________
                    Steven R. Mascaro, Chair