MA S1382

Creates a new 9-member Board of Registration of Licensed Mental Health Counselors within the Department of Public Health's Bureau of Health Care, separate from the existing Board of Allied Mental Health and Human Services Professions

Requires 7 board members to be licensed, practicing mental health counselors with at least 5 years of experience, plus 2 public representatives with no affiliation to mental health professions

Establishes two license tiers: Licensed Supervised Mental Health Counselor (LSMHC) for those completing a 60-credit master's degree and passing an exam, and full Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) requiring an additional 2 years of supervised clinical experience with at least 200 hours of supervision

Sets continuing education requirements at no more than 30 contact hours per year on average, reduced to 15 hours for state and municipal employees

Grants clients of licensed mental health counselors a legal privilege against disclosure of communications in court, legislative, or administrative proceedings, with specific exceptions for imminent danger, court-ordered examinations, and child custody cases