This bill aims to enhance consumer access to licensed rehabilitation counselors by amending various sections of the General Laws. Specifically, it modifies the definition of "licensed mental health professional" across multiple chapters, including chapters 32A, 175, 176A, 176B, and 176G. The new definition includes licensed physicians specializing in psychiatry, licensed psychologists, licensed independent clinical social workers, licensed mental health counselors, licensed nurse mental health clinical specialists, licensed marriage and family therapists, and licensed rehabilitation counselors, all within their lawful scope of practice.

The bill involves the deletion of the previous definitions of "licensed mental health professional" in the specified sections and replaces them with a comprehensive definition that explicitly includes licensed rehabilitation counselors. This change is intended to clarify the qualifications of mental health professionals recognized under the law, thereby potentially increasing the availability of mental health services to consumers.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 32A-22, 175-47B, 176A-8A