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The 2019 – 2020 California legislative session ended on August 31, 2020. The impact that COVID had on the Legislature was significant, resulting in a massive reduction of bills in 2020. This update provides a brief overview of the recent legislative priorities and outcomes that impact CAMFT members. For more detailed and comprehensive information, we encourage members to review CAMFT's Legislative Action Center.
AB 3330 (Calderon) increases the MFT, LCSW, and LPCC licensing, associate registration and exam fees. This increase was one of several approved by the Legislature and was the first fee increase in statute that the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) sought in 20 years. The fee structure includes an eventual cap, allowing the BBS to increase fees as necessary to meet their operating costs without having to return to the Legislature. However, increases would require BBS Board approval and would be enacted through the normal regulatory process. This bill goes into effect on January 1, 2021.
AB 1145 (Garcia, C) modifies the existing reporting requirements by changing the definitions of assault to exclude specified acts between two consenting minors. This bill aligns state statute with guidance issued by the Consumer Department of Affairs in 2013; specifically aimed at protecting LGBTQ minors. This guidance concluded that mandated reporters are not required to report consensual sex between minors of like age for any of the conduct listed as sexual assault unless the practitioner reasonably suspects that the conduct resulted from the force, undue influence, coercion, or other indicators of child abuse. CAMFT supported this measure and provided committee testimony. This bill goes into effect on January 1, 2021.
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