HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	484
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to mental health licensing.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, and other persons of color experience disparities in mental health care. Members of minority communities suffer from high rates of depression, trauma, and mental illness but may be unlikely to access mental health services. The legislature recognizes that a fear of receiving culturally insensitive or culturally inappropriate treatment can be a barrier to seeking help. The legislature also recognizes that an individual's culture can influence the symptomatic expression of mental illness, making cultural competence critical for accurate diagnoses and effective care.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to require:

(1) Psychologists licensed in the State to complete at least four hours of continuing education per licensing biennium on topics relating to cultural diversity, cultural competence, sexual orientation, gender identity, or health equity; and

(2) Psychologists seeking renewal of their license in the State without full compliance with the continuing education requirement to have completed at least seven hours of continuing education in the next licensing biennium on topics relating to cultural diversity, cultural competence, sexual orientation, gender identity, or health equity.

SECTION 2. Section 465-11, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended as follows:

1. By amending subsection (c) to read:

"(c) Beginning with the July 1, 2016, through June 30, 2018, biennium period and prior to every biennial renewal thereafter, each licensee shall:

(1) Pay all required fees; and

(2) Complete a minimum of eighteen credit hours of continuing education within every licensing biennium[.]; provided that at least four hours of continuing education shall be on topics relating to cultural diversity, cultural competence, sexual orientation, gender identity, or health equity."

2. By amending subsection (f) to read:

"(f) Any licensee seeking renewal of a license without full compliance with the continuing education requirement shall submit with the renewal application the required fee, a notarized affidavit setting forth the facts explaining the reasons for noncompliance, and a request for an extension on the basis of the facts; provided that the licensee shall complete at least thirty-six hours of continuing education for the next licensing biennium[.]; provided further that at least seven hours of continuing education in the next licensing biennium shall be on topics relating to cultural diversity, cultural competence, sexual orientation, gender identity, or health equity. The board shall consider each case on an individual basis and may grant an extension based on:

(1) Practice in an isolated geographical area with an absence of opportunities for continuing education by taped programs or otherwise; or

(2) Inability to devote sufficient hours to continuing education because of incapacity, undue hardship, or any other serious extenuating circumstances."

SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Continuing Education; Mental Health; Psychologists; Cultural Diversity; Cultural Competence; Sexual Orientation; Gender Identity; Health Equity

Description:

Requires psychologists licensed in the State to complete at least four hours of continuing education per licensing biennium on topics relating to cultural diversity, cultural competence, sexual orientation, gender identity, or health equity. Requires psychologists seeking renewal of their license in the State without full compliance with the continuing education requirement to have completed at least seven hours of continuing education in the next licensing biennium on topics relating to cultural diversity, cultural competence, sexual orientation, gender identity, or health equity.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.