MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Public Health and Welfare

By: Senator(s) Gollott

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 73-53-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO EXTEND THE GRANDFATHERING PROVISION APPLICABLE TO UNLICENSED SOCIAL WORKERS EMPLOYED BY STATE AGENCIES OR OTHER PUBLIC ENTITIES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.  

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 73-53-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

73-53-7. (1) Except as hereinafter provided, all individuals not exempt from licensure who are not licensed under this chapter are prohibited from performing services for compensation for which licensure is required by this chapter, and are also prohibited from holding themselves out to the public by any title or description of services set out in this chapter or by any title or description of services likely to cause public confusion with any title or description of services set out in this chapter.

(2) Any person not licensed under this chapter * * *, who was actively engaged in the practice of social work * * * on July 1, 1994, as an employee of the State of Mississippi or any agency, political subdivision or municipality thereof or any community action agency or Head Start agency, shall be issued a license as a social worker by the board, if the person applies for such license before September 1, 1997, and, at the time that the application is made, the person is so actively engaged. The license shall be issued by the board upon application therefor, the submission of proof satisfactory to the board of the applicant's employment in the practice of social work as provided in this subsection, and the payment of the appropriate fee.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.