Social workers.

Existing law, the Clinical Social Worker Practice Act, provides for the regulation of licensed clinical social workers. That law makes an individual who styles themselves 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. This bill would prohibit an individual from representing themselves as a social worker, unless they possess certain academic qualifications. The bill would apply that prohibition to an individual employed by a governmental entity, certain academic institutions, an institution that is both nonprofit and charitable, and other individuals. The bill would also prohibit an employer or principal from representing their employee or agent as a social worker unless the employee or agent possesses certain academic qualifications. The bill would state that, prior to January 1, 2029, these provisions do not apply to an individual that is classified as a social worker by their employer or principal if the individual held that classification prior to January 1, 2024. The bill would make a violation of these provisions an unfair business practice as well as a misdemeanor. By making a violation of these provisions 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.