Senate Bill 2493 Summary

• Revises licensure requirements and definitions for social workers and marriage and family therapists in Mississippi, including creating new categories of "licensed master social worker" and "licensed marriage and family therapy associate"

• Establishes the Board of Examiners for Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists with 10 members (6 social workers, 4 marriage and family therapists) appointed by the Governor and Lieutenant Governor with Senate confirmation

• Specifies examination requirements using ASWB (Association of Social Work Boards) tests for social workers and national Examination in Marital and Family Therapy for marriage and family therapists

• Prescribes grounds for disciplinary action including negligence, unethical conduct, criminal conviction, and continued practice with lapsed licenses; authorizes board to impose sanctions ranging from reprimand to license revocation and monetary penalties up to $5,000

• Makes the board self-supporting through licensure and renewal fees; repeals automatic sunset provisions (Section 73-54-41) to make the regulatory structure permanent; effective July 1, 2011