Behavioral sciences: records retention.

Existing law provides for the licensure or registration and the regulation of marriage and family therapists, licensed educational psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, and licensed professional clinical counselors by the Board of Behavioral Sciences, and makes a violation of those laws a misdemeanor. This bill would require, for a client or patient whose therapy is terminated on or after January 1, 2015, a marriage and family therapist, licensed educational psychologist, licensed clinical social worker, or licensed professional clinical counselor to retain the client's or patient's health service records for a minimum of 7 years from the date therapy is terminated. The bill would, in this regard, require a minor client's or minor patient's health service records to be retained for a minimum of 7 years from the date the client or patient reaches 18 years of age. The bill would authorize records to be retained in either a written or an electronic format. Because a violation of these requirements would be a crime, the bill 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.