H.B. 623
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
Apr 13, 2023
SESSION 2023 HOUSE PRINCIPAL CLERK
H D
HOUSE BILL DRH40335-NB-139
Short Title: The Kelly Spangler Study Bill. (Public)
Sponsors: Representative Crawford.
Referred to:
1 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
2 AN ACT TO DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AND
3 OTHER ENTITIES TO STUDY THE EXEMPTION OF ALLOWING THE USE OF THE
4 SOCIAL WORKER TITLE FOR LOCAL AND STATE EMPLOYEES.
5 Whereas, the North Carolina Social Work Certification and Licensure Act allows for
6 individuals who are employed by an agency of a local or State governmental entity to be exempt
7 from the law; and
8 Whereas, non-social work degreed staff are eligible to be classified as social workers
9 in the North Carolina State Social Work Classification Series; and
10 Whereas, a social worker possesses a specific body of professional knowledge,
11 training, and experience that is gained when the social worker acquires their social work degree
12 from a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education; and
13 Whereas, not requiring governmental staff to have a social work degree from an
14 accredited program allows for the provision of social work services to the public from staff that
15 have no formal social work education or training; and
16 Whereas, there is a growing need to document the effectiveness of all State and local
17 government programs and services, and outcomes are impacted negatively when the quality and
18 training of the workers is inadequate; Now, therefore,
19 The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
20 SECTION 1. The Department of Health and Human Services (Department) shall
21 coordinate a study to examine and evaluate the efficacy and use of the exemption to allow any
22 individual who is employed by an agency of a local or State government entity to use the title of
23 "social worker" without having an educational degree in social work under G.S. 90B-10(c) and
24 any modifications to the current provision that should be considered by the General Assembly of
25 North Carolina. The Department shall include and consult with the following entities in the study:
26 (i) the Department of Adult Correction, (ii) the North Carolina Social Work Certification and
27 Licensure Board, (iii) the North Carolina Public Health Association, (iv) the North Carolina
28 Association of County Departments of Social Services, (v) the National Association of Social
29 Workers North Carolina, and (vi) any other local stakeholders and other interested parties. No
30 later than April 1, 2024, the Department shall submit a report with any recommendations and
31 findings to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services, the Joint
32 Legislative Administrative Procedure Oversight Committee, and the Fiscal Research Division.
33 SECTION 2. This act is effective when it becomes law.
*DRH40335-NB-139*