HB 4520

Abstract

Amends the Professional Counselor and Clinical Professional Counselor Licensing Act. Renames the Act the Professional Counselor and Clinical Professional Counselor Licensing and Practice Act (and makes conforming changes in other Acts). Provides that any person who practices, offers to practice, attempts to practice, or holds himself or herself out to practice as a clinical professional counselor or professional counselor without being licensed or exempt under the Act shall pay a civil penalty to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation in an amount not to exceed$ 10,000 (instead of $5,000) for each offense. Allows the Department to take action, including imposing fines not to exceed $10,000 (instead of $1,000) per violation, if the individual meets the requirements for grounds for disciplinary action. Creates a provision concerning the confidentiality of all information collected by the Department in the course of an examination or investigation of a licensee or applicant. Provides that a person who violates a provision of the Act is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor for the first offense and a Class 4 felony for the second and subsequent offense. Makes other changes in provisions concerning definitions; restrictions and limitations; powers and duties of the Department; qualifications for a license; the Board; renewal of licenses; payments; grounds for discipline; investigations; hearings and proceedings; and restoration of licenses. Amends the Regulatory Sunset Act to extend the Professional Counselor and Clinical Professional Counselor Licensing Act from January 1, 2013 to January 1, 2023. Effective immediately.