HB 382-SOCIAL WORKER LICENSING                                                                            
                                                                                                                              
CHAIRMAN MACKIE announced HB 382 to be up for consideration.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS. MYRNA MCGHIE,  aide to Representative  James, sponsor,  told the                                                            
Committee that  Representative James introduced legislation  in 1998                                                            
that prohibits  the use of the title  of "social worker"  to be used                                                            
without a license.   That legislation  also established the  minimum                                                            
qualifications  for  each  level of  social  work  licensure.  Since                                                            
enacted,  DFYS found the  restrictions in the  bill to have  created                                                            
hiring  problems.   Social  workers  needed  time  to meet  the  new                                                            
licensing requirements.   Representative James introduced  HB 382 to                                                            
amend the current  laws to allow temporary  licensing for  up to one                                                            
year for  newly hired  social workers  providing  they have met  all                                                            
necessary requirements other than the licensing exam.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
MS. CATHERINE  REARDON,  Director  of the Division  of Occupational                                                             
Licensing, DCED, expressed support for HB 382.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
With no further testimony  or questions, SENATOR DONLEY moved HB 382                                                            
from  committee with  individual  recommendations.    There were  no                                                            
objections and it was so ordered.