Article archive / February 2022
Originally published: . Volume 13, No. 2. Source pages: 5.
From the Minutes Selected Items from Nov. 2021 Minutes of the Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists (LSBEP)
NOVEMBER Finance Committee – Ms. Monic presented a Financial Report prepared for the period 10/1/2021 – 10/31/2021 as follows: […] Income: Renewal $258,290 […] 87.2% of the budgeted amount has been collected. This category includes renewal of assistants to psychologists, projected to be $5000 which was not been implemented as projected. The number of licenses lapsed this period also impacted this amount. However, we have collected 2.5% more than the previous FY. Line Item Expense: Compliance Officer This position is currently vacant. The Board was required to pay out annual leave on resignation of this position so it is higher than previous years. A leave payout may be reimbursed by another state agency for unused leave on return to state service. Additionally, it is projected this line item will come in underbudget since the position is currently unfilled. Legislative Oversight Committee – Dr. Gormanous reported that the 2022 Regular Legislative session was approaching and if changes to the practice act needed to be considered, now is the time to begin collaborating with associations. Dr. Gormanous suggested that the Board look at what other state boards are doing and give consideration to removing the “oath” required in attesting U.S. Citizenship during the application process since it would have impacts on the ability to facilitate an online application. Mr. McNeely stated that legislators would not be limited to the number of bills they could propose during the upcoming session and that redistricting would be a primary focus of the session. Staff Development: Administrative Assistant Position – The Board discussed salary and posting for this position. Additional staffing issues were discussed including the unfilled unclassified position for an in-house attorney. Mr. McNeely reminded the board of the intent to create the position was to implement cost control which is better managed through employment rather than contracts. The Board discussed the viability of retaining an attorney for the currently budgeted amount. Dr. Gormanous moved in favor of budgeting $40K for the Administrative Assistant Position and posting for a position that seeks qualified individuals that can be utilized as an operations person. It was also moved that the Board post for the in-house attorney position at 60K, but for budgeting purposes leave funding for the attorney position under the contract attorney position. If and when the board has a viable candidate to fill the unclassified position for an in- house attorney, the Board will reconsider its budget to allocate funds from the contract attorney position toward a salaried position. The Board discussed the motion. The motion passed by unanimous roll call vote of the members present as follows: In favor: (5) Gormanous, Gibson, Moore, Harness, Sam; Against: (0); Abstained: (0); Absent: (1) McNeely. Legal Opinion Regarding Supervision by Medical Psychologists – The Board discussed this matter to resolve concerns in Pre-approving Supervised Practice Plans and issuing Provisional License to Applicants for Licensure who are under the supervision of Medical Psychologists who are not licensed with LSBEP. Following consultation with legal counsel certain statutes were identified that appear to conflict with rules and previously issued opinions. The statutory provision in question RS 37:1360.55(A)(1) and (B)(1) which states clearly that a medical psychologist can only receive a medical psychology license from the “board” (LSBME as defined in 37:1360.52(1)) if they hold a “current and unrestricted license in good standing to practice psychology issued by the LSBEP.”; and 37:1360.58 which requires that a renewal of the license for a medical psychologist meet the “qualifications provided in this Part” (i.e., have a current license with the LSBEP). Following discussion and guidance from LSBEP Attorney Amy Groves Lowe, the Board determined that LSBEP cannot pre-approve a plan of supervision or issue a provisional license to an applicant whose supervisor is not regulated by LSBEP. However, the determination raised more complex questions that potentially impact LSBEP’s ability to pre-approve supervision, issue provisional licenses, as well as perform other regulatory functions. Recognizing the potential impacts, Dr. Gormanous moved that the Board authorize the following course of action: 1) have the Chair and/or Executive Director reach out to LAMP’s Liaison to summarize the issues; 2) request a collaborative meeting of stakeholders including representatives from LSBEP, LSBME, LPA and LAMP; and 3) report findings and recommendations to the LSBEP on changes to regulations or opinions, if any are needed. The Board discussed the motion. The motion passed by unanimous roll call vote of the members present as follows: In favor: (5) Gormanous, Gibson, Moore, Harness, Sam; Against: (0); Abstained: (0); Absent: (1) McNeely.
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