§7053-A. Functions of licensed social worker

Sec. A-16. 32 MRSA §7053-A, sub-§4, as amended by PL 2001, c. 316, §4, is further amended to read:

4. Licensed social worker. A licensed social worker may:

A. Engage in psychosocial evaluation, excluding the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness, and conduct basic data gathering of records and specific life issues of individuals, groups and families, assess this data and formulate and implement a plan to achieve specific goals related to specific life issues;

B. Serve as an advocate for clients or groups of clients for the purpose of achieving specific goals relating to specific life issues;

C. Refer clients to other professional services;

D. Plan, manage, direct or coordinate social services; and

E. Participate in training and education of social work students from an accredited institution or an educational institution in candidacy for accreditation with the Council on Social Work Education or a successor organization and supervise other licensed social workers.

A licensed social worker shall may not engage in the private practice of social work, diagnose mental illness and emotional disorders or provide psychotherapy. A licensed social worker with less than 2 years' experience must receive consultation from either a licensed master social worker, a licensed clinical social worker or, a certified social worker - independent practice or a licensed social worker with 5 years' experience in a manner to be prescribed by the board on a group or individual basis 4 hours a month. Licensed social workers in health care facilities licensed by the Department of Human Services shall must receive consultation on a quarterly basis in a manner prescribed by the department. The department staff giving consultation to intermediate care facilities must be on the master or clinical level by January 1, 1993.

Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, licensed social workers employed by the Department of Human Services shall