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2021 California Legislative Session The 2021 legislative session ended in September and the Governor had until October 10th to act on legislation. The Legislature will resume on January 3, 2022.
AB 723 (Low) / SB 801 (Roth) – MFT Scope of Practice was signed by Governor Newsom! CAMFT's bill, AB 723, was amended into the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) Omnibus bill, SB 801. The updated scope of practice definition does not change the MFT scope, but simply modernizes the language to better articulate what the modern MFT does on daily basis.
CAMFT encourages all members to visit CAMFT's Legislative Action Page to learn about all the bills CAMFT follows, including in-depth descriptions, legislative analyses, and up-to-date status reports. You can also subscribe here to CAMFT's Action E-Lerts for CAMFT emails on key pieces of legislation.
BBS Waivers The COVID 19 declared State of Emergency by Governor Newsom provided the Department of Consumer Affairs the authority to waive existing law to protect public health. These waivers are winding down and below is an update.
Active BBS COVID Waivers Video Supervision and Face to Face Waiver Extended until December 31, 2021 - CAMFT lobbied the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS), Department of Consumer Affairs, and the Governor’s Office for an extension to the Video Supervision Face to Face Waiver scheduled to expire on October 31, 2021. This waiver allows prelicensees, regardless of the work setting, to be supervised via real-time videoconferencing and for trainees to count telehealth hours toward their face-to-face training requirements for practicum.
In the event the videoconferencing waiver is not extended and the BBS is not able to amend laws to allow for videoconferencing supervision in all settings, beginning January 1 2022, pre-licensees who are not working in an exempt setting (e.g. private practices) will have to obtain the required supervision in-person.
We encourage all affected supervisors and pre-licensees, if they have not already done so, to begin discussions about and plan for return to in-person supervision. Hours of experience gained under improper supervision arrangements may not count, and there may be further disciplinary action to both supervisor and pre-licensee.
Expired BBS COVID Waivers Registration Renewal Waiver allowed for AMFT renewals without passing the law and ethics exam. The Registration Renewal wavier expired on October 31, 2021.
Clinical Examination Waiver extended the eligibility period to retake the examinations to 18 months, from the notice of eligibility, if the one-year eligibility expired between March 31 2020 and October 31, 2021. The Clinical Exam waiver expired on October, 31 2021.
Subsequent Registration Number Waiver allowed for an AMFT to apply for a subsequent registration number if the registration expired between March 31, 2020 and October 31, 2021. The Subsequent Registration Waiver expired on October 31, 2021.
BBS Meeting Dates
Due to COVID, all BBS meetings have been conducted via a webcast and links to the meetings can be found here. All CAMFT members are encouraged to participate. Below is a list of BBS meetings:
Contra Costa County Volunteers Needed: DMHC Health Plan Surveys The Department of Managed Healthcare’s (DMHC) Division of Plan Surveys is conducting investigations of all full-service health plans regulated by the DMHC to assess barriers practitioners experience in providing behavioral health services.
DMCH is looking for providers willing to participate in investigation interviews conducted by the DMHC for Contra Costa County Medical Services Plan. Interviews will allow the DMHC to gain a comprehensive understanding of provider-specific barriers and challenges associated with Contra Costa County Medical Services Plan. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, interviews conducted in 2021 will likely be via phone or video conferencing. The interviews will allow the DMHC to gain a comprehensive understanding of provider-specific barriers and challenges with this health plan.
Providers who have elected not to contract with this health plans, or contracted providers who have experienced barriers and challenges providing behavioral health services to their patients within the past two years, and who wish to participate in these interviews should contact the DMHC directly via email at ProviderBHI@dmhc.ca.gov or via phone at (279) 666-5858.
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