ISSUE NUMBER 5 • WINTER 2020

2020 Legislative Session About to Begin—BOSW Proposal Moving Forward!

As BOSW has communicated to stakeholders since January of 2019, the Board is proposing noncontroversial, technical, and housekeeping changes to the Social Work Practice Act during the 2020 legislative session. This proposal is the culmination of two years of work by board, staff and stakeholders to update the Social Work Practice Act.

The House bill was introduced on January 31, 2020, and the Senate bill was submitted for introduction on February 6, 2020!

For complete information, including a side-by-side comparison and summary of the proposed changes, and bill language, visit the 2020 Legislative Proposal page on the Board's website.

Continue reading for a summary of House and Senate action to date, social work professional organizations formally supporting the proposal, and what to expect as the 2020 legislative session begins on February 11, 2020!

House of Representatives Action To Date

• Excited to announce Representative Heather Edelson, LGSW, as Chief Author in the House
• Thanks to Rep. Edelson for her assistance in securing additional authors to meet the early House “bill drop” date of January 30, 2020
• House bill HF3081 received interim introduction on January 31, 2020 and is referred to Health and Human Services Policy Committee
• Additional House authors include Representatives Richardson, Becker-Finn, Kotyza-Witthuhn, Klevorn, and Elkins; Representatives Baker and Albright have also committed to sign on as authors

Senate Action To Date

• Excited to announce Senator Andrew Mathews as Chief Author in the Senate
• Thanks to support from Senator Mathews, Senate bill “dropped” February 6, 2020; bill number expected soon
• To date, additional Senate authors include Senators Marty, Hoffman, and Benson
• Senate hearing likely based on feedback from meeting with Senator Benson, Chair of the Health and Human Services Finance and Policy Committee

Support from Social Work Professional Organizations

• To date, the following professional organizations represented on the BOSW Advisory Committee have taken an official position to support the BOSW 2020 Legislative Proposal:
  • National Association of Social Workers (NASW) – Minnesota Chapter
  • Minnesota Nursing Home Social Workers Association (MNHSWA)
  • Minnesota Association of Home Care Social Workers (MAHCSW)
  • Minnesota School Social Workers Association (MSSWA)

What’s Next?

• BOSW continuing to meet with legislators in the Senate and House of Representatives
• Session begins February 11, 2020 and ends May 18, 2020
• Hearings in both the Senate and House are likely
• Additional letters of support from stakeholders are welcome
• Sign up to receive Licensing News & Updates and visit the 2020 Legislative Proposal page on the Board's website for updates