Board approves May and August minutes; outreach and workforce committees report plans for 2026

The California Board of Behavioral Sciences approved the May and August 2025 meeting minutes during its Nov. 20 session. Member Christopher Jones moved the consent calendar and Annette Walker seconded; Kevin Runnersinger (Kelly Runnersinger) abstained, and the motion carried.

During board business the Outreach and Education Committee reported on a Sept. 12 meeting and on a Nov. 12 artificial‑intelligence listening session that drew roughly 500 online participants and yielded an exit survey for follow‑up. Committee priorities for 2026 include expanding outreach to underserved groups, increasing live and social‑media engagement (including reviving a short live Q&A series), improving website accessibility and producing short video material to help students and educators navigate licensure steps.

The Workforce Committee reported ongoing work to simplify and clarify LMFT education pathways. Committee members reviewed other states’ approaches and discussed proposals to eliminate in‑state/out‑of‑state distinctions, set a 60‑unit integrated‑degree threshold, modernize competency language, and consider recognition of recognized program accreditors. The committee framed the proposals as an initial draft to be refined across additional meetings during 2026 (BPC §4980.36 was referenced in the discussion of statutory frameworks).

No formal policy changes were adopted at the meeting; committee recommendations will continue through the board’s committee process.