03/22/2010 01:30 PM Senate FINANCE

SENATE BILL NO. 248                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
     "An Act extending the termination date of the Board of                                                                     
     Marital and Family Therapy; and providing for an                                                                           
     effective date."                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
1:43:13 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Senator Olson discussed  SB 248, which extends  the board of                                                                    
marital and family therapists until  2014. He noted that the                                                                    
auditors recommend an extension of the board.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Ms.  Davidson  recommended  a shorter  extension  date.  The                                                                    
concern  is  that  the board  had  postponed  a  regulations                                                                    
project   because   of   ongoing  financial   issues.   Each                                                                    
professional board must be  financially self sufficient. The                                                                    
fees must cover  the cost of the board, its  travel, and the                                                                    
regulation  projects.  One  of  the  main  advantages  of  a                                                                    
professional board is that they  develop the regulations and                                                                    
keep  the licensing  requirements current  with professional                                                                    
practices.      Recommendations      include      sufficient                                                                    
administrative  support, and  timely  appointments with  the                                                                    
office of the governor.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair  Stedman   mentioned  one  fiscal  note   from  the                                                                    
Department of  Commerce, Community and  Economic Development                                                                    
showing the cost of continuing  the board at $23 thousand in                                                                    
receipt supported services.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
SB  248  was  HEARD  and   HELD  in  Committee  for  further                                                                    
consideration.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
1:46:37 PM