Originally published: . Volume 12, No. 5. Source pages: 7.
From the Minutes Selected Items from Jan & Feb 2021 Minutes of the Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists (LSBEP)
January minutes Election results: Dr. Henke opened and reported to LPA and publicly the results of the 2020 election for the upcoming vacancy occurring July 1, 2021. Results were reported as follows: 290 Licensees participated in this election representing 36.2% of 801 Licensees. Thomandra Shavaun Sam, Ph.D. received the majority vote at 105 (38.6%), Lauren Woodruff Rasmussen, Psy.D., 103 (37.9%), Leslie A. O’Malley, Psy.D. 64 (23.5%) and 18 (6.2%) Abstained. Dr. Henke noted that the turn- out of electors was the highest participation the Board has seen in several years.
VI. Discussion/Ideas: a. Specialty designation vs. HSP/General Applied Psychology LAC:46:LXIII – Chapters 3, 7 and 17 et al – Dr. Henke provided an overview that the Board is still researching and discussing the idea of issuing designations of Health Service Provider or General Applied Psychology and eliminating of specialty designations.
b. Military Licensing – LAC:46:LXIII. Chapter 10 (R.S. 37:3651) – Ms. Monic presented legislation that was recently amended related to expedited military applications, which expanded the provision to include active military duty spouses and dependents. Ms. Monic advised that consideration of impacts and potential revisions to Chapter 10 will need to be assessed.
1) Discussion Statutory: a) Receive, review and discuss recommendations from the Ad Hoc Legislative Collaborative Committee (ALCC) related to proposed SB458 (2020 Regular Legislative Session) – Dr. Henke presented via screen sharing, a review of changes recommended by LSBEP’s General Counsel, Amy Groves Lowe, following review of the proposed housekeeping legislation with ALCC recommendations.
LPA had two points of “Conceptual concerns and questions:” “1) Concern regarding use of term “assistant to psychologist.” “2) Concern regarding LSBEP’s intent to regulate clinical research.
Following extensive review, discussion and consideration of recommendations from the ALCC, the Board’s General Counsel and LPA, Dr. Gormanous moved in favor of filing the bill and if the motion passes, immediately asking select legislators to sponsor the bill in this legislative session and upon finding a sponsor, move forward with the revisions to proposed SB458 originally introduced in the 2020 Regular Legislative Session, that were proposed by the ALCC, the Board’s General Counsel and LPA. The Board discussed this motion. The motion passed by unanimous roll call vote as follows: In favor: (6) Henke, Gormanous, Gibson, Moore, Harness, McNeely; Against: (0); Abstained: (0); Absent: (0)
February minutes 3. a. Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing – Dr. Gormanous recommended that the Board purchase a copy of “Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing” developed jointly by American Educational Research Association, APA, and the National Council on Measurement in Education. The Board discussed this recommendation and by motion of Dr. Gormanous, affirmed such purchase for the office.
4. Legislative Oversight Committee – Dr. Henke reported that the Board was currently engaged in Rulemaking related to increasing fees under Chapter 6, which information is published on the boards website. Dr. Gormanous reserved his report for discussion later under the item docketed as Discuss proposed Housekeeping Legislation (amendments to SB458)
6. Complaints Committee – a. Mr. Owens reported for the period 12/11/20 – 02/19/21 as follows: Two new Requests for Investigations were received by consumers since the last report; there are a total of 29 open investigations, 23 are active (one from FY17-18; two from FY18-19; nine from FY19-20; eleven from FY 20-21; six are under review and not yet noticed). There are currently no formal hearings scheduled; no disciplinary actions were finalized during this period and there were no applicants denied based on review of criminal history.
8. Liaison to Professional Organizations a. Ms. Monic reported the presentation at the LSPA annual conference on January 29, 2021 wentvery well and was attended by more than 70 LSPA members. b. Dr. Henke reported that she reached out to the Board Chairs of California and Pennsylvania related to writing a letter to ASPPB’s Board of Directors to address the impacts and concerns of preventing applicants, who are qualified to take both parts of the EPPP examination, but will be prevented based solely on the jurisdiction they choose to apply through. Dr. Henke stated that both jurisdictions that she spoke with were interested in signing and submitting a letter with Louisiana.
c. Ms. Monic reported that the ASPPB Midyear Meeting is scheduled for April 9 and 10, 2021 and would be virtural. Ms. Monic confirmed that registrations would be submitted for herself and Drs. Henke, Gibson, Gormanous, Moore and Harness.
a. The Board reviewed LPA’s position on the proposed legislation from Erin Reuther, LPA President-February 17, 2021. Specifically, in part “…LPA is supportive of the work of the ALCC and the collaborative process in developing the language for the proposed statute. Thus, this is not an opposition to the language of the statute itself, but rather opposition to moving it forward this legislation session….” LPA’s position also indicated they would be supportive of any related changes that could be accomplished through rulemaking.
Dr. Henke expressed appreciation to the individuals from LPA and LSPA who volunteered a lot of time to the ALCC, and disappointment in LPA’s decision. Dr. Henke also expressed her disappointment that a draft was shared outside of the ALCC committee on LPA’s listserve prior to the board having the opportunity to review and adopt the changes.
b. Following receipt of comments, including the review and discussion of LPA’s position, LSBEP discussed its position and options. Dr. Gormanous stated that in his opinion the changes related to the definition of the practice of psychology; delegation of authority; and registration of unlicensed assistants are a matter of public protection, and are of such importance that the legislation should not be delayed. Dr. Gormanous offered a motion to affirm the Board’s previous decision and continue to move forward by actively educating legislators of these needs and seek a sponsor for these changes. The Board discussed the motion, the motion passed by roll call vote as follows: In favor: (6) Henke, Gormanous, Gibson, Moore, Harness, McNeely; Against: (0); Abstained: (0); Absent: (0).
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