HB 1521 Maryland House of Delegates · 2025 Regular Session

State Board of Social Work Examiners - Membership and Examination Requirements

HB 1521 removes the requirement for social workers to pass an exam to obtain a bachelor's or master's license in Maryland. It also increases the State Board of Social Work Examiners from 12 to 14 members, adding two consumer members (raising their count from 2 to 4). The bill directly affects individuals seeking social work licenses, particularly those applying for bachelor or master level credentials, by eliminating the examination step. These changes are implemented by amending specific sections of Maryland’s health occupations law governing social work licensing and board composition.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
House of Delegates Passage
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 20, 2025 Last action Mar 17, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - State Board of Social Work Examiners - Membership and Examination Requirements Third - State Board of Social Work Examiners - Membership and Examination Requirements · 4 edits
MODERATE
This bill updates the composition of the State Board of Social Work Examiners from 12 to 14 members and adjusts the requirements for board membership. The changes also modify examination and licensing requirements for social workers, including adjustments to the number of required board members from different professional backgrounds.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded to include additional board members and updated licensing examination requirements for social workers.
REQUIREMENT

Increased the total number of State Board of Social Work Examiners members from 12 to 14, with adjusted representation requirements for different social work license types.

Changed the number of consumer members on the board from 2 to 4.

Updated examination requirements for social worker licensing, including modifications to the number of required board members with specific license types.

TIMELINE

Added procedural information about bill referral to Health and Government Operations committee and favorable committee report.

Floor votes · House of Delegates Mar 9, 2025

How they voted

10036
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 139
Mar 9, 2025
D Democratic100
98 Yea 2
98% Yea
R Republican39
2 Yea 36 Nay 1
92% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
11
Key actions
4
Committee
5
Mar 17, 2025
Committee
Referred Finance
upper
Mar 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Mar 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
lower
Mar 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
Favorable Report by Health and Government Operations
lower
Mar 9, 2025
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (100-36-3)
house of delegates
Mar 3, 2025
Committee
Rereferred to Health and Government Operations
lower
Feb 20, 2025
Committee
First Reading House Rules and Executive Nominations
lower
3 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors