MA H279

Eliminates mandatory board-prepared examinations for multiple levels of social work licensure, including licensed social workers, licensed certified social workers, and licensed independent clinical social workers

Creates a provisional license pathway for applicants who fail the social work associate examination twice within 15 points, valid for up to one year with professional development, supervision, and educational requirements

Provisional licensees must complete extensive portfolio requirements including eleven papers on core social work content areas, daily activity journals, case analyses, self-evaluations, and quarterly supervisor evaluations

Establishes a special legislative commission to study creating a new certification for child welfare workers at the Department of Children and Families, with appointments within 60 days and first meeting within 90 days of enactment

Commission must report findings within 15 months, examining whether social work licensure should be the only qualification for DCF employment and ensuring new certification criteria do not create barriers based on language, cultural background, or race