HB 5457

Abstract

Amends the Clinical Social Work and Social Work Practice Act. Provides that a license to practice under the Act shall not be denied an applicant because of the applicant's real or perceived immigration status. Provides that every application for an original license under the Act shall include the applicant's Social Security Number or individual taxpayer identification number. Provides that the Social Work Examining and Disciplinary Board may grant additional examination time to an applicant for whom English is the applicant's second language. Provides that to qualify for consideration, the applicant must submit a request for additional time stating that English is the applicant's second language, and provide additional information. Sets forth what additional information may be provided. Provides that if approved, the applicant shall be allotted extra time when taking the required board-administered examination. Provides that the allowance of the extra time for a required national examination is subject to availability from the exam-administering entity. Provides that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation may not revoke, suspend, summarily suspend, place on prohibition, reprimand, refuse to issue or renew, or take any other disciplinary or non-disciplinary action against a license or permit issued under the Act based solely upon an immigration violation by the licensed clinical social worker. Provides that the Department may not revoke, suspend, summarily suspend, place on prohibition, reprimand, refuse to issue or renew, or take any other disciplinary or non-disciplinary action against the license or permit issued under the Act to practice as a licensed clinical social worker based upon the licensed clinical social worker's license being revoked or suspended, or the licensed clinical social worker being otherwise disciplined by any other state, if that revocation, suspension, or other form of discipline was based solely upon an immigration violation by the licensed clinical social worker. Amends the Marriage and Family Therapy Licensing Act and Professional Counselor and Clinical Professional Counselor Licensing and Practice Act to make similar changes. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 225 ILCS 20/8.3 new 225 ILCS 55/37 new 225 ILCS 107/43 new Adds reference to: 225 ILCS 20/5 from Ch. 111, par. 6355 225 ILCS 56/45 225 ILCS 107/25 Further amends the Clinical Social Work and Social Work Practice Act, the Marriage and Family Therapy Licensing Act, and the Professional Counselor and Clinical Professional Counselor Licensing and Practice Act. Removes provisions regarding the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation granting additional examination time to an applicant for whom English is the applicant's second language. Provides that all examinations conducted or authorized by the Department must allow reasonable accommodations for applicants for whom English is not their primary language and a test in their primary language is not available. Provides that all examinations conducted or authorized by the Department must comply with communication access and reasonable modification requirements in specified provisions of the federal Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act.