NASW-MT's Position: In Opposition
Bill Summary: SB99 sets restrictions on healthcare professionals and limits their ability to provide gender-affirming care to minors. It also establishes penalties for professionals who offer this care to a child and their family.
Legislator Talking Points:
NASW-MT's Position: In Support
Bill Summary: HB101 establishes that behavioral health professionals who are licensed and in good standing in another state can obtain a license in Montana if they are a new residents and certain conditions exist.
Legislator Talking Points:
- Makes it easier for fully licensed clinicians moving from out of state into MT to secure their MT licensure more quickly.
- Positively impacts access to social workers and other behavioral health professionals for all Montanans.
- Encourages clinicians to move to Montana, not just get a Montana license allowing for in-person counseling opportunities.
- Keeps the possibility of interstate compact licenses separate which allows for a different path towards that license type in the future.
NASW-MT's Position: In Opposition
Bill summary: SB115 would revise child and neglect laws and change the definition of the term "psychological abuse or neglect". the bill specifically aims to require that a child be diagnosed with a mental disorder to constitute an act or omission resulting in psychological abuse or neglect.
Legislator Talking Points:
- Removes the word "emotional" from the definition of psychological abuse or neglect. By striking this word, we narrow our definition of abuse and send the signal that what the victim feels emotionally is not important. Psychological and emotional go hand-in-hand and we believe keeping both words in this section of the bill creates a more accurate definition of abuse.
- Negatively impacts children experiencing abuse, their families and communities by requiring a DSM 5 diagnosis.
- Trauma, especially in children, can take years to manifest and be diagnosed properly. A diagnosis immediately following a traumatic event is unrealistic and puts undue burden on victims, their families and mental health professionals.
- Diagnosing psychological abuse or neglect prematurely is unethical and inappropriate for our profession and goes against our Code of Ethics.