SB1401 Summary

• Requires complaints against Licensed Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Licensed Behavioral Practitioners to be made in writing within five years of alleged violation, with no time limit for sexual misconduct allegations.

• Establishes separate Complaint Review Committees (three members each) for each profession to meet monthly and review complaints, with authority to dismiss complaints without merit or negotiate consensual agreements for remedial action.

• Creates a reparative process for violations not requiring license denial/revocation/suspension, allowing informal resolution with written consensual agreements that are not reported to national data banks once fulfilled.

• For serious violations, refers complaints to formal administrative hearings where advisory boards may recommend licensing sanctions and fines ranging from $250-$5,000 based on violation severity and impact on client health and safety.

• Applies complaint procedures to applicants, candidates, and supervisors; authorizes emergency license suspension for licensees posing immediate threats to public; effective November 1, 2010.