Bill > S135

This bill modifies Massachusetts social work licensure requirements to increase accessibility and create a new pathway for professional certification. The legislation removes existing examination requirements for social work licensure across multiple license types, replacing strict testing protocols with a new provisional licensing system. Under this new system, applicants who have failed the licensing exam up to two times can obtain a one-year provisional license, during which they must complete extensive professional development requirements, including maintaining a comprehensive professional portfolio with detailed documentation such as case analyses, self-evaluations, supervisory reports, and activity journals. Additionally, the bill establishes a special legislative commission to investigate creating a new certification specifically for child welfare workers at the Department of Children and Families, with a mandate to explore alternative qualification methods that consider potential biases in standardized testing and ensure workforce access for diverse communities. The commission is tasked with examining whether current social work licensure is the most appropriate qualification for child welfare professionals and developing recommendations for a more inclusive certification process that recognizes varied professional experiences and backgrounds.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S135