Originally published: . Volume 6, No. 5. Source pages: 5.
The Louisiana State Board of Psychologists Examiners initiated a measure proposed by Senator Rick Gallot from the Monroe area to make several changes in the psychology practice act.
Senate Bill 113 would remove the Louisiana State Psychological Association from the elections for the state board positions, and also from providing the names to the Governor’s office, and give that role to the psychology board or its designee.
SB 113 would also eliminate the psychologist emeritus status. Also, the bill would remove the requirement that a licensed psychologist from out-of-state has to associate with an in-state psychologist, if he or she is working temporarily in Louisiana for less than 30 days per year. It adds that the out-of-state psychologist would be required to file an application with the board.
The measure also changes requirements for serving on the board, changing the clause for five years of experience to five years of experience in the state of Louisiana. And, the proposed law adds wording so that anyone recently employed by the board would have to wait 12 months if he or she wants a position on the board.
The proposal changes the way and time period for certain records to be maintained, providing for electronic storage and would clean up wording having to do with changing from three to five year terms, terms in the law from 1987.
The psychology board reviewed the changes at their long-range meeting last November, but sources in the Louisiana Psychological Association have said that there are some concerns circulating about certain aspects of the bill, in particular the removal of LPA from all aspects of the election. Other sources, also undisclosed, have voiced concerns about the removal of the Emeritus status.
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