Originally published: . Volume 12, No. 6. Source pages: 8.
From the Minutes Selected Items from March 2021 Minutes of the Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists (LSBEP)
From March Minutes:
4. Legislative Oversight Committee – No report, deferred to discussion.
2. Complaints Committee –
a. Mr. Owens reported for the period 02/20/21 – 3/26/21 as follows: one new Request(s) for Investigation were received by consumers since the last report; there are a total of 21 open investigations, 18 are active (one from FY17-18; two from FY18-19; five from FY19-20; ten from FY 20-21; three 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.
b. Mr. Owens reported that seven (7) cases were scheduled for review and discussion today in Executive Session.
8. Liaison to Professional Organizations – The Board discussed attendance at the ASPPB Midyear Meeting to be held virtually on April 8, 2021 and April 9, 2021. Drs. Gormanous, Henke, Gibson, Moore and Harness are registered to attend. Ms. Monic reported that she would be in partial attendance on April 9, 2021.
Dr. Gormanous identified a section in the Louisiana Code of Governmental Ethics under 42:1123(30) Exceptions related to post-employment as a possible exception to appointing former members to a committee immediately following the end of their term and suggested the Board request an opinion on this. Ms. Monic agreed to look into the citation.
9. Long Range Planning Committee – Workgroup updates were received as follows:
a. Registration of unlicensed assistants – LAC:46:LXII. Chapter 11 – no report
b. Continuing education requirements – LAC:46:LXII. Chapter 8 – Dr. Henke reported that Antonio E. Puente, Ph.D. has agreed to be the presenter for an LSBEP CE Workshop. The Board identified the preferred subject of the workshop focus to be APA’s Multicultural Guidelines and Ethics. The Board discussed announcing this presentation in the LSBEP Newsletter and on the Website. Additionally, the board discussed options to build a training library of webinars. Dr. Moore reported she continues to explore platforms for webinars and will work with Ms. Monic to create a prototype and pilot the program.
c. Complaint Adjudication process – LAC:46:LXII. Chapter 15 – Ms. Monic reported that she, Mr. Owens and Dr. Joseph Comaty had met several times and are making progress on revisions to Policies and Procedures. Mr. Owens is working on a Matrix for determining potential disciplinary actions in order to create parameters for Board approval which will lead to better consistency when determining a course of action for an investigation/adjudication.
6. 2021 Regular Legislative Session – Ms. Monic reported she had not compiled a watch list of bills impacting practice/regulation or the agency but would have something prepared for April 30, 2021. The Board did discuss LSBEP’s draft legislation and that given the size of the draft, Senator Luneau declined to sponsor the proposed legislation after hearing from LPA’s lobbyist that LPA would oppose the legislation. The Board again considered the offer of LPA to support any changes that could be accomplished through rulemaking. Ms. Monic noted the more vital issues could only be corrected in statute and included authority to collect fees. Mr. McNeely suggested a fiscal only bill for fee authorization and then to engage in rulemaking for those matters that could be addressed in that fashion. Comments, questions and discussion were invited by guests and LPA members present as well as Dr. Julie Nelson from the Psychology Times participated in this conversation.
Mr. McNeely stated that there would be no risk of introducing amendments to a fiscal only bill, unless they were fiscally related. Dr. Gormanous moved in favor of supporting a fiscal only bill and that Mr. McNeely be empowered to seek a sponsor and work with Ms. Monic and LPA to draft a fiscal only bill that LPA could support. Dr. Moore seconded the motion. 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)
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