Whereas, social worker licensure has undergone change in the last few years and requires further amendment prior to July 1, 2003 in order to provide the public with information about professional qualifications; and

Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

PART A

Sec. A-1. 32 MRSA c. 83, is amended by repealing the chapter headnote and enacting the following in its place:

CHAPTER 83

SOCIAL WORKERS AND HUMAN SERVICE PROVIDERS

Sec. A-2. 32 MRSA §7001-A, sub-§2, as amended by PL 1987, c. 395, Pt. B, §10, is further amended to read:

2. Board. "Board" is the State Board of Social Worker and Human Service Provider Licensure.

Sec. A-3. 32 MRSA §7001-A, sub-§5, as enacted by PL 1985, c. 736, §2, is amended to read:

5. Consultation. "Consultation" is regularly scheduled face-to-face case discussion and evaluation focusing on raw data, goals and objectives from the social worker's practice or licensed human service provider's practice.

Sec. A-4. 32 MRSA §7001-A, sub-§6-A is enacted to read:

6-A.__Licensed human service provider.__"Licensed human service provider" means a person licensed by the board for the purpose of conducting basic data gathering of records and specific life issues of individuals and families; assessing data and formulating and implementing plans to achieve specific goals related to specific life issues; serving as an advocate for clients or groups of clients for the purpose of achieving specific goals relating to specific life issues; referring