The bill introduces amendments to the law concerning the composition of critical incident stress management teams and the conditional licensing of certain mental health professionals. It expands the definition of a critical incident stress management team to include members designated by a union of emergency response/public safety workers, alongside those designated by the head of a relevant authority. This change acknowledges the role of unions in providing peer support for emergency services providers. Additionally, the bill modifies the process for conditional licensing of clinical mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists by establishing specific educational and supervisory requirements. It also transfers the authority to set licensing fees from the board to the office of professional licensure and certification.

Specifically, the bill amends RSA 330-A:19 and RSA 330-A:21 to detail the criteria for obtaining a conditional license in the fields of clinical mental health counseling and marriage and family therapy. Applicants must hold a relevant advanced degree and secure a board-approved supervisory agreement, among other criteria set by the board. Conditional licenses are valid for up to two years with a potential one-time renewal for those in good standing with the board. The bill includes insertions of new legal language to facilitate these processes and deletions of language that may have previously impeded them. The act is set to take effect 60 days after its passage, with an approved date of August 4, 2023, and an effective date of October 3, 2023.

Statutes affected:
As Amended by the Senate: 153-A:17-a
As Amended by the House: 153-A:17-a, 330-A:12, 330-A:18-d
Version adopted by both bodies: 153-A:17-a, 330-A:12, 330-A:18-d
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION: 153-A:17-a, 330-A:12, 330-A:18-d, 330-A:21