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Committee advances bill creating treatment pathway for impaired counselors and nurses
Summary
House Bill 219 would let certain licensed counselors, social workers, family therapists and nurses voluntarily relinquish licenses to enter monitored treatment with the possibility of reentry to practice; committee advanced the bill unanimously after the sponsor said costs fall on participants.
The committee advanced House Bill 219, which would create or extend procedures allowing licensed professional counselors, social workers, family therapists and nurses to voluntarily relinquish a license for treatment and monitoring and seek reinstatement when appropriate.
Representative Stevens, sponsor of the bill, described it as “an impairment bill to allow the same procedures that we use for dentists and doctors and, and pharmacists that allows for counseling.” He said the measure applies in two sections: one addressing the composite board for counselors, social workers and family therapists, and the other addressing the Georgia Board of Nursing.
Stevens told the committee the program’s costs would be borne by the person in treatment, though the program could accept private donations. He said the bill had passed the House previously and that it typically met little opposition.
A motion to give the bill a favorable report came from Senator Summers and was seconded by Senator Rhett. After a brief roll call by voice and no recorded opposition, the committee advanced the bill.
The sponsor and committee members discussed timing and the sponsor noted prior floor votes; the sponsor asked for a Senate carrier to shepherd the measure.
