Maine Revised Statutes Title 32 Sec. 18552 – Purpose
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The purpose of this compact is to facilitate interstate practice of licensed professional counselors with the goal of improving public access to professional counseling services. The practice of professional counseling occurs in the state where the client is located at the time of the counseling services. The compact preserves the regulatory authority of states to protect public health and safety through the current system of state licensure. [PL 2021, c. 547, §1 (NEW).]
This compact is designed to achieve the following objectives: [PL 2021, c. 547, §1 (NEW).]
1. License recognition. Increase public access to professional counseling services by providing for the mutual recognition of other member state licenses;
[PL 2021, c. 547, §1 (NEW).]
Terms Used In Maine Revised Statutes Title 32 Sec. 18552
- Active duty military: means full-time duty status in the active uniformed service of the United States, including members of the National Guard and Reserves of the United States Armed Forces on active duty orders pursuant to 10 United States Code, Chapters 1209 and 1211. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 32 Sec. 18553
- Licensed professional counselor: means a counselor licensed by a member state, regardless of the title used by that state, to independently assess, diagnose and treat behavioral health conditions. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 32 Sec. 18553
- Member state: means a state that has enacted the compact. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 32 Sec. 18553
- Professional counseling: means the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of behavioral health conditions by a licensed professional counselor. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 32 Sec. 18553
- State: means any state, commonwealth, district or territory of the United States that regulates the practice of professional counseling. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 32 Sec. 18553
- Telehealth: means the application of telecommunication technology to deliver professional counseling services remotely to assess, diagnose and treat behavioral health conditions. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 32 Sec. 18553
2. State powers. Enhance the states’ ability to protect the public’s health and safety;
[PL 2021, c. 547, §1 (NEW).]
3. Multistate practice. Encourage the cooperation of member states in regulating multistate practice for licensed professional counselors;
[PL 2021, c. 547, §1 (NEW).]
4. Military spouses. Support spouses of relocating active duty military personnel;
[PL 2021, c. 547, §1 (NEW).]
5. Information exchange. Enhance the exchange of licensure, investigative and disciplinary information among member states;
[PL 2021, c. 547, §1 (NEW).]
6. Telehealth technology. Allow for the use of telehealth technology to facilitate increased access to professional counseling services;
[PL 2021, c. 547, §1 (NEW).]
7. Licensure requirements. Support the uniformity of professional counseling licensure requirements throughout the states to promote public safety and public health benefits;
[PL 2021, c. 547, §1 (NEW).]
8. State authority. Invest all member states with the authority to hold a licensed professional counselor accountable for meeting all state practice laws in the state in which the client is located at the time care is rendered through the mutual recognition of member state licenses;
[PL 2021, c. 547, §1 (NEW).]
9. Multiple licenses. Eliminate the necessity for licenses in multiple states; and
[PL 2021, c. 547, §1 (NEW).]
10. Interstate practice. Provide opportunities for interstate practice by licensed professional counselors who meet uniform licensure requirements.
[PL 2021, c. 547, §1 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 2021, c. 547, §1 (NEW).