MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Public Health and Welfare

By: Representative Taylor

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 73-53-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT CERTAIN SOCIAL WORKERS AND SOCIAL SERVICES DESIGNEES AT NURSING FACILITIES SHALL BE ISSUED SOCIAL WORKER LICENSES; 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 on July 1, 1993, who is actively engaged in the practice of social work before 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, and who is not eligible to be issued a license under subsection (3) of this section, shall be issued a provisional license as a licensed social worker by the board, if the person applies for such provisional license before July 1, 1994, 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. Such license shall be valid for a maximum period of two (2) years, but not to extend past June 30, 1995, during which time the provisional licensee must pass the AASSWB social work examination at the basic level.

(3) Any person not licensed under this chapter on July 1, 1993, who has been actively engaged in the practice of social work for not less than five (5) years before July 1, 1993, 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, 1994, 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.

(4) Any person who was not licensed under this chapter on July 1, 1993, who had been actively engaged in the practice of social work or in practice as a social services designee for a privately-owned nursing facility for not less than five (5) years before July 1, 1993, shall be issued a license as a social worker by the board, if the person applies for such license before September 1, 1999, 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 or in practice as a social services designee 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 July 1, 1999.