Existing law authorizes a student of social work or a social work trainee to engage in the supervised practice of social work in a training institution or facility recognized by the Board of Examiners for Social Workers. (NRS 641B.040) Sections 4 and 8 of this bill additionally authorize a student of social work to engage in the supervised practice of social work if he or she: (1) is enrolled in any of certain programs of education in social work; (2) is employed at a practicum site approved by the Board; and (3) meets any other requirements prescribed by regulation of the Board. Section 4 authorizes such a student of social work to perform only tasks authorized by the Board and approved by his or her practicum site. Section 4 authorizes such a student of social work to practice social work only under the supervision of a social worker, a master social worker, an independent social worker, a clinical social worker or another provider of health care approved by the Board. Sections 4 and 5 of this bill require a student of social work employed at a practicum site to comply with laws and regulations governing the practice of social work, and sections 8 and 9 of this bill authorize the Board to impose discipline against such a student who violates such provisions. Section 4 imposes various additional requirements concerning: (1) the oversight of such a student by a practicum site; and (2) the practice of social work by such a student. Section 6 of this bill requires the Board to adopt certain regulations governing students of social work employed at practicum sites. Section 7 of this bill makes certain provisions governing recordings of the provision of mental health services by a social worker, master social worker, independent social worker or clinical social worker for training purposes also apply to such recordings of a student of social work employed at a practicum site. Sections 1-3 and 10 of this bill provide that a student of social work employed at a practicum site is not subject to provisions of law governing the practice of certain other health professions. Sections 11-14 and 16 of this bill make applicable to such students certain provisions that currently apply to social workers regarding: (1) privileged communications with clients; (2) enhanced penalties for assault on providers of health care; and (3) reporting of the abuse, neglect, exploitation, isolation or abandonment of older persons and vulnerable persons and the abuse or neglect of children. Section 15 of this bill authorizes the Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education to establish a program to: (1) reimburse practicum sites for the compensation of students of social work; (2) compensate providers of health care who supervise such students; (3) provide a financial incentive for practicum sites when such a student who engaged in the practice of social work at a practicum site becomes a licensed social worker; and (4) reimburse such a student who works at a remote practicum site for the costs of travel, meals and lodging. Section 17 of this bill makes an appropriation to the System to pay the costs of the program.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 637B.080, 640A.070, 641.029, 641B.040, 641B.160, 641B.355, 641B.400, 641B.430, 641D.110, 49.251, 200.471, 200.5093, 200.5095, 432B.220
BDR: 637B.080, 640A.070, 641.029, 641B.040, 641B.160, 641B.355, 641B.400, 641B.430, 641D.110, 49.251, 200.471, 200.5093, 200.5095, 432B.220