Senate bill to let social workers supervise after three years gets committee hearing; backers say it will increase access

Senate Bill 10‑92, presented to the Emerging Issues Committee by State Senator Patty Lewis, would allow licensed social workers to serve as supervisors after three years of independent practice instead of five. Lewis told the committee the change is intended to grow supervision capacity and help address statewide shortages in behavioral health providers.

"Missouri is ranked 42 in the nation when it comes to mental healthcare deserts," Lewis said, adding that 111 of 114 counties are designated health professional shortage areas for mental health. She described the bill as identical to a House provision (House Bill 19‑63) and said the measure does not change licensure, educational requirements or scope of practice, and that it carries "0 fiscal impact." Lewis also said the bill preserves the existing supervised‑hours requirement for practice.

Ranking Member Representative Fuchs, who said she is a social worker, expressed support and asked for clarification about training and practicum expectations. Lewis and committee members clarified that SB10‑92 does not change the 3,000 supervised hours required for independent practice and that supervisors would still need a required 12‑hour supervisory course; the bill solely reduces the years‑of‑service threshold from five to three.

Jessica Petrie Telemaque testified on behalf of the National Association of Social Workers‑Missouri chapter and Burrell Behavioral Health, urging support and describing a rural clinic example where a clinician at about four years in practice is currently unable to take on supervisees until the five‑year mark. "It truly only changes 3 words in the statute," Petrie Telemaque said, and supporters argued the change would let clinics add supervisees sooner.

There was no testimony in opposition and the chair closed the hearing on SB10‑92.