Legislative Update — Ariel Cohen, MA, LMFT

CAMFT Facebook Page Legislative Updates
April, September, October, December 2023

4/25/23

CAMFT has become aware of a concerning piece of legislation, SB 766, that would prohibit MFTs (including aspiring MFTs) from working in a job position if the title of the position includes the words “social worker” anywhere within the title. We are aware of hundreds, if not thousands, of MFTs that this bill could negatively impact, and we are looking to our membership to get a better assessment of how harmful this impact would be to both providers and patients. While CAMFT is working to amend this bill to protect our providers and their patients, we need to hear from you urgently in case a compromise is not agreed upon.

If you have (or previously had) a position (either paid or unpaid) wherein your title has the words “social worker” within it, please take this quick MFT-Social Work survey to help us best navigate our next steps on this piece of legislation. Please visit link in bio to complete the survey.

9/29/23

Advocacy win!!

Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation this weekend strengthening protections and supports for LGBTQ+ Californians, including SB 372 (Menjivar).

This CAMFT co-sponsored piece of legislation works to protect the privacy and ensure the safety of transgender and nonbinary Californians by eliminating the use of deadnames at the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) for licensed professionals who have changed their legal names.

#legalname #governorgavinnewsom #advocacy #transgender

10/12/23

We have more good news to share! Last weekend, Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 665 (Wendy Carrillo, D-LA) into law.

This bill will allow minors 12 years of age and older who are covered by Medical the right to consent to mental health care services.

https://www.gov.ca.gov/.../upl.../2023/10/AB-665-Signing.pdf

#camft #advocacy #careservices #mentalhealthcare #health #governorgavinnewsom #news #law #sign

10/17/23

Get ready to vote for Proposition 1 on the March 2024 ballot!

Last week, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 326 (Eggman, D – Stockton) and Assembly Bill 531 (Irwin, D – Thousand Oaks) which aims to transform California’s mental health and substance use disorder treatment systems.

A recent poll found that 87% of Californians believe there is a mental health crisis in the United States. In response, these reforms will re-focus billions of dollars to prioritize Californians with the deepest mental health needs. This funding will build more than 11,150 new behavioral health beds and housing and 26,700 outpatient treatment slots, filling critical needs across the state.

#camft #substanceuse #treatmentsystems #healthcrisis #substanceusedisorder #mentalhealthcrisis #ballot #governor #health #crisis

12/2/23

David Connolly, CAMFTs Federal Lobbyist in Washington, presented The Medicare Mental Health Workforce Coalition’s Outstanding Legislator Award to Rep. Mike Thompson of Santa Rosa.

Rep. Thompson was the lead sponsor in the House of Representatives of the legislation that will allow MFTs to become Medicare Part B providers starting on January 1, 2024.

Big thanks to both of you for your unwavering dedication to the advancement of MFTs!

#politicalaction #californialaw #mftsinmedicare #representatives #healthworkforce #partb #federal #coalition

Ariel Cohen, MA, LMFT maintains a full-time private practice in Woodland Hills, CA. He works with children, teens, adults and families, with an emphasis on supporting the special needs community. He can be contacted at 818.674.9834 or ArielCohenLMFT@gmail.com.