Senate Bill 2420

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 73-54-23, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE BOARD OF EXAMINERS FOR SOCIAL WORKERS AND MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPISTS TO ISSUE A TEMPORARY LICENSE TO OUT-OF-STATE LICENSEES TO PRACTICE IN A NONPROFIT HEALTH CARE/COUNSELING FACILITY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 73-54-23, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

73-54-23. (1) The board shall issue a license by examination of credentials to any applicant licensed or certified as a marriage and family therapist in another state that has such requirements for the license or certificate that the board is of the opinion that the applicant is competent to engage in the practice of marriage and family therapy in this state, provided that the applicant submits an application on forms prescribed by the board, has passed the national Examination in Marital and Family Therapy, and pays the original licensure fee prescribed by Section 73-54-25. The issuance of a license by reciprocity to a military-trained applicant or military spouse shall be subject to the provisions of Section 73-50-1.

(2) The board shall issue a temporary license by examination of credentials to any applicant licensed or certified for at least one (1) year as a social worker or marriage and family therapist in another state that has such requirements for the license or certificate for the same scope of practice and that the board is of the opinion that the applicant is competent to engage in the same practice in this state, provided that the applicant submits an application on forms prescribed by the board, has passed the applicable national examination and pays the original licensure fee prescribed by Section 73-54-27. The practice setting for the temporary licensee shall be limited to a nonprofit health or family counseling facility. The applicant shall be required to hold his or her license or certificate for the other state in good standing and the applicant shall be subject to a criminal background check by the board. The temporary license shall be issued within thirty (30) days after receiving the application if the applicant submits credentials affirming that he or she satisfies the provisions of this subsection (2). The applicant may practice under the temporary license until a regular license is granted for a period not to exceed three hundred sixty-five (365) days. Insurers shall provide reimbursement to providers based upon the temporary license held by the applicant while the regular license process is completed, and the insurance company may bill for any reimbursement paid to the provider in the event the application is denied.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2021.