Bill > H279

This bill proposes several changes to social work licensure in Massachusetts, primarily focusing on removing examination requirements and establishing a new provisional licensing pathway. Specifically, the bill eliminates existing language requiring social workers to pass board-prepared examinations for various license types, and introduces a new provisional license for applicants who have failed the social work associate examination up to two times. The provisional license would be valid for one year and require the licensee to maintain a comprehensive professional portfolio including detailed documentation such as affidavits, papers covering core content areas, a daily journal, case analysis, self-evaluation, supervisor evaluations, and a notarized affidavit of professional readiness. Additionally, the bill establishes a special legislative commission to investigate creating a new certification for child welfare workers at the Department of Children and Families, with a broad mandate to examine licensure requirements, explore alternative certification methods, and ensure that certification criteria do not create barriers for workers from diverse backgrounds. The commission is required to submit a report within fifteen months, providing recommendations on potential new certification standards that recognize the limitations of standardized testing and promote workforce diversity and accessibility.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H279