AN ACT relating to social work.

Creates a new section of KRS 335.010 to 335.160 to require a national and state criminal background check for social worker applicants seeking an initial license, reinstatement of a license, or authorization to practice in another state under a compact; prohibit board distribution of the results except to the requesting applicant or as evidence in a legal proceeding; limit the background check fee charged by the Department of Kentucky State Police to the department's actual costs; forbid the board from requiring a criminal background check solely for the purpose of renewing a license; amends KRS 335.010 to exempt student interns or trainees from social work licensure requirements; exclude employees and applicants of child-caring facilities or child-placing agencies from social worker licensure requirements, except for the practice of clinical social work, if the facility or agency is contracted with the state for foster care services; direct the Kentucky Board of Social Work to promulgate administrative regulations to define standards for student involvement in clinical social work and to implement background checks; amends KRS 335.020 to define terms; amends various sections of KRS 335.010 to 335.160 to establish licensure standards, including use of a multistate license and telehealth; amends KRS 335.050 to require that at least 1 member of the Kentucky Board of Social Work is a teacher actively engaged in social work education; and amends KRS 387.610 and 457.090 to conform.

• Beverly Chester-BurtonD
• George Brown Jr.D