Committee approves bill to exempt social work interns from licensure requirements

Representative Hebron introduced House Bill 424, saying the measure creates a targeted exemption for student interns and trainees from social work licensure requirements and directs the Kentucky Board of Social Work to promulgate administrative regulations defining clinical supervision standards for student involvement.

Hebron said the bill has been the product of three years of collaborative work and that the committee substitute clarifies supervision standards and an exemption intended to preserve child-welfare oversight while enabling consistent standards for payer recognition.

Hank Cecil, chair of the Kentucky Board of Social Work, and Michelle Sanborn of the Children's Alliance appeared in support and described the bill as a product of stakeholder collaboration. The committee approved a committee substitute by voice vote, followed by a roll call confirming passage; the measure will be reported to the House floor.