SB 177

Voluntary Registration for Oregon Social Workers

SB 177 implements a voluntary registration for bachelor and master’s level social workers and increases the scope of the State Board of Clinical Social Workers.

THIS BILL AS PROPOSED DOES NOT DO ENOUGH TO PROTECT CONSUMERS OR SOCIAL WORKERS.

What does SB 177 propose?

Primary functions

Further regulates the Social Work profession by:
-Adding a separate and distinct designation for bachelor and master's level social workers through implementing a voluntary registration

Defines “A Regulated Social Worker” as:
-An individual who is registered, certified, or licensed by the State according to degree and examination requirements

Prevents those with revoked licenses from representing themselves as a Regulated Social Worker or engaging in Social Work

Secondary functions

-Increases civil penalty maximum from $1,000 to $5,000 for the violation of social work regulatory statutes
-Changes the name of the board from “State Board of Clinical Social Workers” to “State Board of Licensed Social Workers”

This is NOT a Practice Act. This is NOT Title Protection.

Sarah Bradley, MSSW, LCSW
Portland State University FacultyMember of the NASW

Amendments

Our support of this bill relies on specific amendments that will not only increase the impact of the bill, but will increase the protection it provides to consumers and social workers.





Sarah Bradley, MSSW, LCSWPortland State University FacultyMember of the NASW


PROPOSED AMENDMENTS

Protect the title of “Social Work” to reduce risk to consumers and social workers.
A person may not use the term “social work” in any variation or form unless they are a Regulated Social Worker.


Reviewing associated fees of registering and examination:
Due to the growing disparity between starting Social Work salaries and student loan debt we ask you to consider the impact of a costly voluntary registry.






Sarah Bradley, MSSW, LCSWPortland State University FacultyMember of the NASW

Next steps

This bill as proposed will not make a significant impact on our community or our profession. The amendments to this bill will be a step in the right direction. We urge you to join us in increasing the integrity of our profession by supporting the amendments to this bill, which we believe will begin to further regulate our field in an effective and efficient manner.


Emily Graham-Berks, MSW



Join us at Social Work Legislative Day of Action on Thursday, March 5th.
Learn more and register here!

Want to know what else is going this session? Learn more about Social Work Loan Relief here: http://socialworkloanrelieforegon.blogspot.com/