The Board proposes promulgation of the rule to provide requirements for a qualified practitioner who completes risk assessments and treats sexual offenders.

 

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling

RULE NO.: RULE TITLE:
64B4-7.0081: Requirements to be a Qualified Practitioner for Completing Risk Assessments and Treatment of Sexual Offenders.

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The Board proposes promulgation of the rule to provide requirements for a qualified practitioner who completes risk assessments and treats sexual offenders.

SUMMARY: The promulgated rule will provide requirements for a qualified practitioner who completes risk assessments and treats sexual offenders.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:

During discussion of the economic impact of the rule at its Board meeting, the Board, based upon the expertise and experience of its members, determined that a Statement of Estimated Regulatory Cost (SERC) was not necessary and that the rule amendment will not require ratification by the Legislature. No person or interested party submitted additional information regarding the economic impact at that time. The Board has determined that this rule will not have an adverse impact on small business, or likely increase regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within 1 year after implementation of the rule.

Any person who wishes to provide information regarding the statement of estimated costs, or to provide a proposal for a lower regulatory cost alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 947.005(10), 984.001(9), 491.004(5) FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 947.1405(7)(a)5., 948.30(1)(e) FS.

IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN THE FAW.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Sue Foster, Executive Director, Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling/MQA, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin #C08, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3258

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

64B4-7.0081 Requirements to be a Qualified Practitioner for Completing Risk Assessments and Treatment of Sexual Offenders.

(1) Licensees approved by the Florida Department of Corrections (DOC) or Federal Probation Service to complete risk assessments and treat sexual offenders or who were a clinical member of Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers (ATSA) or the Florida Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers (FATSA) on or before June 30, 2010, shall be deemed to be qualified practitioners.

(2) In order to be a qualified practitioner for completing risk assessments for sexual offenders, one must hold an active license as a clinical social worker, marriage and family therapist, or mental health counselor under Chapter 491, Florida Statutes.

(3) A qualified practitioner under this rule shall possess 60 hours of post degree graduate coursework or post degree continuing education in all of the following core areas with a minimum of three (3) hours per area:

(a) Etiology of sexual deviance;

(b) Evaluation/risk assessment and treatment of adult and adolescent sexual offenders that have established scientific bases;

(c) Evaluation/risk assessment and treatment of specialized populations of sexual offenders;

(d) Physiological measures of sexual arousal;

(e) Sexual offender and current DSM diagnosis;

(f) Safety planning/Family Safety planning;

(g) Report writing;

(h) Legal and ethical issues in the evaluation and treatment of sexual offenders;

(i) Co-morbidity and substance abuse issues; and

(j) Relapse prevention.

(4) Have documented 2,000 hours of post degree experience in the evaluation and treatment of sexual offenders.

(5) A qualified practitioner under this rule must complete 20 hours of board approved biennial continuing education in the assessment, evaluation and treatment of sexual offenders; relapse prevention; experience and training in working with victims; and related legal and ethical issues.

Rulemaking Authority 947.005(10), 948.001(9), 491.004(5) FS. Law Implemented 947.1405(7)(a)5., 948.30(1)(e) FS. History– New_______.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: July 14, 2011

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAW: September 16, 2011