South Carolina General Assembly
115th Session, 2003-2004

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Bill 4712

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Indicates New Matter

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

COMMITTEE REPORT

April 14, 2004

H. 4712

Introduced by Rep. Quinn

S. Printed 4/14/04--H.

Read the first time February 5, 2004.

            

THE COMMITTEE ON MEDICAL,

MILITARY, PUBLIC AND MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS

To whom was referred a Bill (H. 4712) to amend the Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, by adding Section 43-31-170 so as to provide training and experience requirements that a counselor, etc., respectfully

REPORT:

That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass:

JOE E. BROWN for Committee.

            

STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED FISCAL IMPACT

ESTIMATED FISCAL IMPACT ON GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES:

$0 (No additional expenditures or savings are expected)

ESTIMATED FISCAL IMPACT ON FEDERAL & OTHER FUND EXPENDITURE:

A Savings to the Federal and/or Other Funds

EXPLANATION OF IMPACT:

The Department of Vocational Rehabilitation anticipates a savings in federal funds upon enactment of this bill, which allows the state to establish hiring practices for counselors other than those established by the federal government. Under the provisions of the bill the State could continue its practice of hiring individuals with rehabilitative-related masters degrees (i.e. Sociology) while mandating that they complete masters level rehabilitation courses commiserate to their degree. The federal government requires the hiring of counselors with Masters in Rehabilitative Counseling (effective next fiscal year) unless state law specifies otherwise.

Savings results from the fact that training costs (paid by the department with federal funds) associated with the State requirements are lower than those imposed by the federal requirement. Training costs would total approximately $27,500 per year ($1,250 training course costs x 22 counselors) versus the federal requirement of a Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling, which would total $55,000 annually ($2,500 training course costs x 22 counselors).

Approved By:

Don Addy

Office of State Budget

A BILL

TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 43-31-170 SO AS TO PROVIDE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS THAT A COUNSELOR FOR THE STATE AGENCY OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION SHALL MEET.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    Chapter 31, Title 43 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 43-31-170.    A    counselor for the state agency of Vocational Rehabilitation shall have:

(1)    a Master's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling;

(2)    a Master's degree in Counseling with a graduate course in Theories and Techniques of Counseling;

(3)    a Master's degree in any discipline and at least eighteen documented hours of coursework at the Master's level or above within thirty months of the date of hire including:

(a)    one graduate course with a primary focus on the Theories and Techniques of Counseling;

(b)    three graduate courses, each with a primary focus on one of the following areas:

(i)        occupational information;

(ii)    job development and placement;

(iii)    medical aspects of disabilities;

(iv)    foundations of rehabilitation;

(v)    psychological aspects of disabilities;

(vi)    personal and vocational adjustment; and

(c)    two graduate courses, each with a primary focus on one of the following areas:

(i)        assessment;

(ii)    research methodology;

(iii)    vocational and career development;

(iv)    community resources;

(v)    case management;

(vi)    delivery of rehabilitation services; or

(4)    a current Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) certificate, regardless of degree."

SECTION    2.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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