SB 2361 Summary

• Restructures North Dakota social worker licensing into three tiers: baccalaureate social workers, master social workers, and clinical social workers, replacing previous "licensed certified social worker" terminology.

• Requires clinical social work applicants to complete 3,000 hours of supervised post-master's experience within four years, with at least 1,500 hours under a licensed clinical social worker's supervision.

• Expands the North Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners from six to seven members and allows board members to receive daily compensation matching legislative assembly rates plus reimbursement for expenses.

• Permits social workers to provide electronic social work services regardless of practitioner or client location, subject to state licensing requirements and practice standards.

• Establishes mandatory reporting requirements for licensed social workers who have substantial evidence of colleague impairment from addiction, substance diversion, or mental/physical incompetence, with immunity from civil or criminal liability for good faith reports.

• Effective February 1, 2020.