Originally published: . Volume 5, No. 9. Source pages: 4.
An effort to add Licensed Professional Counselors to the list of professionals who serve on the clinical team that is sometimes appointed to work in lieu of a sanity commission, failed to pass in a 4 yea, 5 nay vote, on April 23. Testimony was heard in the House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice.
Speaking in favor of the bill was Dr. Jacqueline Mims, who provided information and outlined for the legislators some of the differences between the mental health professions. She said, “None of us received specific training in forensic counseling or psychology,” and explained her own experience of over 19 years with the Baton Rouge City Court. She noted her doctorate in counseling psychology and also a doctorate in special education. She is currently enrolled in forensic psychology she explained. Dr. Mems currently serves on the Licensed Professional Counselors Board of Examiners.
Dr. John Fanning, president of Louisiana Psychological Association, testified in opposition to the measure, saying that the sanity commission issues would likely involve persons with major mental illness, and this would fall outside of the scope for counselors’ in their current law.
Filing cards for information were Executive Director Kelly Parker and Deborah Harkins, Esquire, for the Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, and in opposition were a representative of the Louisiana Defense Lawyers, the Louisiana Criminal Defense Lawyers, and the Baton Rouge District Attorney.
The close 4 – 5 vote came with 5 members absent due to a traffic accident on I-10 at that same time.
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