South Carolina General Assembly
116th Session, 2005-2006

Download This Version in Microsoft Word format

Bill 3993

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

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

COMMITTEE REPORT

February 1, 2006

H. 3993

Introduced by Rep. Edge

S. Printed 2/1/06--H.

Read the first time April 26, 2005.

            

THE COMMITTEE ON MEDICAL,

MILITARY, PUBLIC AND MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS

To whom was referred a Bill (H. 3993) 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 EXPENDITURES:

A Savings for Federal and/or Other Funds

EXPLANATION OF IMPACT:

Current federal law requires vocational rehabilitation counselors to have a Master's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling unless an individual state has established standards for rehabilitation counselors. This bill establishes state standards that are broader that the federal law, allowing vocational rehabilitation counselors to have a Master's degree in a related field with relevant coursework. As there is currently a lack of individuals with Master's degrees in Rehabilitation Counseling, The Department of Vocational Rehabilitation bears the cost for counselors to receive this degree where necessary. This bill would allow the department the less expensive option of hiring counselors with Master's degrees in related fields and then paying for relevant courses to ensure they meet the state standards. The Department of Vocational Rehabilitation estimates savings of approximately $27,500 annually in federal funds for training costs.

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 the field of Counseling with a graduate course in Theories and Techniques of Counseling; or

(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.

----XX----

This web page was last updated on Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at 2:31 P.M.