NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A7791
SPONSOR: Gunther TITLE OF BILL:
An act to require the commissioner of the department of civil service to
prepare a report regarding the classification of mental health practi-
tioners
PURPOSE:
To establish civil service titles for Article 163 mental health practi-
tioners.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
The bill directs the New York State Department of Civil Service to
prepare a report by July 1, 2022 with regard to establishing classifica-
tions for Mental. Health Practitioners licensed under Article 163 of the
State Education Law.
JUSTIFICATION:
Article 163 Mental Health Practitioners (Mental Health Counselors,
Marriage & Family Therapists, Psychoanalysts and Creative Arts Thera-
pists) currently practice in New York State agencies and state-supported
community-based organizations. However, since these licenses did not
exist prior to 2006, there are no civil service titles for these
professions.
As New York State positions itself to end the current state agency
exemption from professional licensure for certain entities and individ-
uals providing services within the scopes of practice of social work,
psychology and mental health practitioners, creation of civil service
titles for MHPs would provide employment stability. The State Education
Department, in its report Pursuant to Chapter 57 of 2013, found that the
lack of titles has "presented challenges to state agencies and-pro-
grams." SED concluded that "there is agreement that the Department of
Civil Service should revise job titles to reflect the new professions
established in Article 163 and require an applicant to be licensed in
order to hold a Civil Service position, in order to ensure the health,
safety and welfare of the public. The creation of appropriate titles
will provide opportunities for qualified licensees seeking to.provide
services in state or local government programs, as well as in the volun-
tary not-for-profit sector" (p. 14).
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2020: S.3151 - Referred to Civil Service and Pensions
2019: S.3151 - Committed to Rules
2018: A.8140 - Referred to Governmental Employees / S.8354 - Referred to
Civil Service & Pensions
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This bill shall take effect immediately
