HB 126-ASSOCIATE AND PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
3:24:44 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR SUMNER announced  that the next order of  business would be                                                               
HOUSE  BILL   NO.  126,  "An   Act  relating  to  the   Board  of                                                               
Professional Counselors;  and relating to licensing  of associate                                                               
counselors."                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
3:25:15 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
RACHEL GUNN,  Staff, Representative Stanley Wright,  Alaska State                                                               
Legislature, on  behalf of Representative Wright,  prime sponsor,                                                               
provided a recap of HB 126.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
3:25:31 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS. GUNN stated  that HB 126 would create a  tier for individuals                                                               
seeking  to become  counselors, after  earning a  graduate degree                                                               
but before becoming a fully  licensed counselor.  This tier would                                                               
allow  them to  earn hours  toward  their license  under a  fully                                                               
licensed counselor.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
3:26:10 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  SADDLER asked  whether  Medicaid would  reimburse                                                               
individuals who are treated by an associate counselor.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
MS. GUNN answered no.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
3:26:31 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE moved to report  HB 126 out of committee                                                               
with  individual  recommendations  and  the  accompanying  fiscal                                                               
notes.   There being no objection,  HB 126 was reported  from the                                                               
House Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.