Social workers.

Existing law provides for the regulation of licensed clinical social workers. Existing law makes an individual who styles himself or herself as a licensed clinical social worker, without holding a license in good standing, guilty of a misdemeanor. Existing law exempts an individual employed by a government entity, certain academic institutions, an institution that is both nonprofit and charitable, and other specified individuals from that prohibition. Existing law defines an approved school of social work to mean a school that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Social Work Education. This bill would prohibit an individual from representing himself or herself as a social worker, unless he or she possesses certain academic qualifications from an accredited school, as specified. This bill would prohibit an employer from representing his or her employee as a social worker, unless that employee possesses certain academic qualifications. This bill would apply those prohibitions to an individual employed by a governmental entity, certain academic institutions, an institution that is both nonprofit and charitable, and other individuals. Because a violation of the bill would be a crime, it would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.