SB 379 Maryland Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Workgroup on Social Worker Requirements for Licensure - Extension and Duties

SB 379 repeals the examination requirement for obtaining bachelor and master social worker licenses in Maryland, directly affecting new social workers seeking these initial credentials. The bill also increases the State Board of Social Work Examiners from 12 to 14 members and expands consumer representation from 2 to 4 seats. It modifies educational requirements for certified social worker licenses by removing the exam mandate while retaining supervised experience and degree accreditation standards. These changes streamline initial licensure for bachelor/master-level social workers but maintain clinical certification requirements. The bill focuses on regulatory adjustments to social work licensing without altering practice standards or fees.

Issues: ✓ Healthcare

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 17, 2025 Last action Mar 12, 2025

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What changed between versions

First - State Board of Social Work Examiners - Membership and Examination Requirements → Third - Workgroup on Social Worker Requirements for Licensure - Extension and Duties · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill shifts focus from repealing examination requirements for social worker licenses to establishing a Workgroup that will study and determine whether to continue those requirements. The bill also significantly expands the composition of the State Board of Social Work Examiners by adding numerous new consumer and community representatives while reducing the number of licensed social worker members. Additionally, the bill extends the termination date of the Workgroup and modifies its duties to include analyzing assessment bias and determining examination requirements.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from repealing examination requirements to creating a Workgroup that will evaluate whether to maintain those requirements, while simultaneously restructuring the State Board's membership composition to include more consumer and community representatives.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the bill's purpose from repealing examination requirements to establishing a Workgroup that will determine whether to continue using examinations for bachelor and master social worker licenses.

Added 12 new consumer and community representatives to the Workgroup, including representatives from the NAACP, Association of Black Social Workers, and various social work organizations.

Removed the requirement that applicants must pass examinations to obtain bachelor and master social worker licenses, replacing it with a Workgroup study to determine future requirements.

Reduced the number of licensed social worker members on the State Board from 14 to 13 while adding 12 new consumer and community members.

Added new duties for the Workgroup to analyze assessment bias and determine whether additional experience or education requirements are necessary if examinations are not used.

TIMELINE

Extended the termination date of the Workgroup on Social Worker Requirements for Licensure.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 12, 2025

Upper · Passed

Motion Recommit to Committee (Senator Beidle) Adopted

upper

Mar 11, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

upper

Mar 10, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Finance

upper

Jan 17, 2025

Committee

First Reading Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

4 primary · 0 co-sponsors