§ 1-111. Mental health and educational services

(a) Within six months of the effective date of this title, the agency of human services shall adopt standards for certification of adoption counselors. These standards shall include a description of:

(1) the prerequisites to application for certification including qualification to practice in the social work or the mental health field in an agency, a community mental health center, or in the private sector;

(2) the nature and duration of professional experience which may qualify applicants for certification without further training and examination;

(3) the training and examination process which will be made available to applicants who do not qualify for certification under subdivision (a)(2) of this section. Training and examination shall be made available to applicants at least annually.

(b) The cost of certification shall be borne by the applicant for certification.

(c) The agency of human services shall disseminate to the public:

(1) a list of certified adoption counselors;

(2) information about access to identifying and nonidentifying information contained in confidential adoption records;

(3) educational brochures on adoption, including legal and psychological issues. (Added 1995, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)