SB 253

Under current law, the state superintendent of public instruction must

promulgate rules to license all teachers and individuals employed to provide publicly

funded special education and related services in public schools. Additionally, under

current law, school boards must ensure that teachers, supervisors, administrators

and professional staff members hold a license or permit issued by the Department

of Public Instruction. Similarly, under current law, charter school authorizers must

ensure that all charter school instructional staff hold a license or permit issued by

DPI.

Under current DPI administrative rules, an individual is eligible for a tier I

license as a clinically trained social worker issued by DPI if the individual holds 1)

a master's degree in social work and 2) a valid social work certificate or license issued

by the social worker section of the marriage and family therapy, professional

counseling, and social work examining board. This bill creates a similar tier I license

issued by DPI for clinically trained marriage and family therapists. Under the bill,

an individual is eligible for such a tier I license if the individual holds 1) a master's

degree in marriage and family therapy and 2) a valid marriage and family therapy

certificate, training license, or clinical license issued by the marriage and family

therapy section of the marriage and family therapy, professional counseling, and

social work examining board. A tier I license is valid for one year but may be

renewed. Under the bill, a clinically trained marriage and family therapist license

may be renewed as long as the individual continues to meet the eligibility

requirements for the license.