Originally published: . Volume 8, No. 3. Source pages: 4.
Social Work Board Updating Rules on Electronic Practice, Sexual Intimacy, Cont Ed
The Board of Social Work Examiners is holding a public hearing to accept feedback on its proposed Rules changes, after receiving significant comments. A public hearing on proposed substantive changes will be held by the board on March 17, 2017, at 1 p.m. at the office of the Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners.
The board published a Notice of Intent to amend its rules in the May 20, 2016, edition of the Louisiana Register. According to the February Register, the May notice solicited views, arguments, information, written comments and testimony. As a result the board proposes to amend numerous sections of the proposed Rules.
The substantive changes include areas of practice, including the following: “Sexual Intimacy or Contact with a Client, Supervisee or Student. A social worker shall not engage in or request sexual intimacy or contact as defined in §113.B.5, with a client, a client's spouse or former spouse, any member of the client's immediate family or with any person with whom the client has a sexual relationship. The prohibition of this rule extends to supervisees and students during such times and under such circumstances where the social worker is in a supervisory or teaching relationship. This rule also expressly prohibits social workers from engaging in any behavior which a reasonable person would find sexually stimulating, seductive or sexually demeaning when such behavior is either directed toward or exhibited in the presence of any person with whom sexual contact is otherwise prohibited by this rule.”
New Rule includes new definitions for: “Electronic Social Work Practice―use of computers (including the internet, social media, on line chat, text, and email) and other electronic means (such as smartphones, landline telephones and video technology) to:1. provide information to the public; 2. deliver social work services to clients; 3. communicate with clients; 4. manage confidential information and case records; 5. store and access information about clients; and 6. arrange payment for professional services.”
The Board is also proposing changes to Continuing Education.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.