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An Act To Expedite the Issuance of Alcohol and Drug Counseling Licenses
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 32 MRSA §6212, sub-§12, as amended by PL 2007, c. 402, Pt. U, §7, is further amended to read:
 
12. Clinical supervision.   For purposes of direct clinical supervision of licensed practitioners in the field of alcohol and drug counseling, the board may certify upon receipt of an application and fee under section 6215 licensed psychologists, physicians, registered clinical nurse specialists, clinical professional counselors, clinical social workers and any other licensed or certified mental health professionals who are qualified to provide alcohol and drug counseling services by virtue of the requirements for that profession and who meet the requirements established by board ruleslicense certified clinical supervisors.
Sec. 2.  32 MRSA §6214-E  is enacted to read:
§ 6214-E. Certified clinical supervisors; qualifications for licensure
 
1.  Eligibility.     To be eligible to practice as a certified clinical supervisor, an applicant must:
 
A.  Meet the requirements of subsection 2 or 3;
 
B.  Have taken and passed an examination as prescribed by board rule; and
 
C.  Have paid an application and license fee under section 6215.
 
2.  Certain licensed mental health professionals.     An applicant who is a licensed psychologist, physician, registered clinical nurse specialist, clinical professional counselor or clinical social worker or a licensed or certified mental health professional who is qualified to provide alcohol and drug counseling services by virtue of the requirements for that profession is eligible for licensure under this section if the applicant:
 
A.  Possesses documented proof of 1,000 hours of practice in alcohol and drug counseling under the applicant's qualifying license; and
 
B.  Possesses documented proof of 30 hours of didactic training in clinical supervision including at least 6 hours of training in each of the following areas: skills assessment and evaluation, counselor development, management and administration and professional responsibility.
 
3.  Licensed alcohol and drug counselors.     An applicant who is a licensed alcohol and drug counselor is eligible for licensure under this section if the applicant:
 
A.  Possesses documented proof of 30 hours of didactic training in clinical supervision including at least 6 hours of training in each of the following areas: skills assessment and evaluation, counselor development, management and administration and professional responsibility; and
 
B.  Possesses:
 
(1) A high school diploma or its equivalent and submits evidence of 4,000 hours of documented clinically supervised work experience as a licensed alcohol and drug counselor;
 
(2) An associate or bachelor's degree and submits evidence of 2,000 hours of documented clinically supervised work experience as a licensed alcohol and drug counselor; or
 
(3) A master's degree or higher and submits evidence of 1,000 hours of documented clinically supervised work experience as a licensed alcohol and drug counselor.
Sec. 3.  32 MRSA §6216-A  is enacted to read:
§ 6216-A. Time frame for granting or denying licenses
The board shall grant or deny a license under this subchapter within 30 days of the filing of the application under this subchapter.
 
SUMMARY
This bill requires the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, State Board of Alcohol and Drug Counselors to grant or deny a license to practice as an alcohol and drug counseling aide, certified alcohol and drug counselor, licensed alcohol and drug counselor or certified clinical supervisor within 30 days of receipt of the application for that license. This bill also clarifies the authority of the State Board of Alcohol and Drug Counselors to license certified clinical supervisors.