1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to health occupations; requiring the Council of Health Boards to study 
1.3 	and make recommendations on increasing access to clinical experiences through 
1.4 	the use of technology; appropriating money.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. COUNCIL OF HEALTH BOARDS WORK GROUP.
 1.7 	(a) The Council of Health Boards shall convene a work group to study and make 
1.8 	recommendations on:
1.9 	(1) increasing the use of telehealth technologies including, but not limited to, high-fidelity 
1.10 	simulation and teleconferencing to complete portions of the clinical experiences required 
1.11 	as part of postsecondary educational programs that relate to counseling. Clinical experiences 
1.12 	may include supervised practicum and internship hours. The study shall include the 
1.13 	parameters in which the proposed technology may be utilized in order to ensure that students 
1.14 	are integrating classroom theory in a lifelike clinical setting without compromising clinical 
1.15 	competency outcomes;
1.16 	(2) increasing access to telehealth technologies for use in supervision of persons 
1.17 	completing postdegree supervised practice work experience and training required for 
1.18 	licensure. The study shall include the parameters in which the proposed technology may be 
1.19 	utilized for supervision to ensure the quality and competence of the activities supervised; 
1.20 	and
1.21 	(3) increasing client access to mental health services through use of telehealth 
1.22 	technologies.
1.23 	(b) The work group must consist of representatives of:
2.1 	(1) the Boards of Psychology, Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Behavioral 
2.2 	Health and Therapy;
2.3 	(2) postsecondary educational institutions that have accredited educational programs 
2.4 	for social work, psychology, alcohol and drug counseling, marriage and family therapy, 
2.5 	and professional counseling; and
2.6 	(3) the relevant professional counseling associations, including the Minnesota Counseling 
2.7 	Association; Minnesota Psychology Association; National Association of Social Workers, 
2.8 	Minnesota chapter; Minnesota Association for Marriage and Family Therapy; and the 
2.9 	Minnesota Association of Resources for Recovery and Chemical Health.
2.10 	(c) By February 1, 2019, the council shall submit recommendations for using telehealth 
2.11 	technologies to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with 
2.12 	jurisdiction over health occupations and higher education, and shall include a plan for 
2.13 	implementing the recommendations and any legislative changes necessary for 
2.14 	implementation.

2.15 	Sec. 2. APPROPRIATION.
 2.16 	$25,000 in fiscal year 2019 is appropriated from the state government special revenue 
2.17 	fund to the health-related licensing boards administrative services unit for the Council of 
2.18 	Health Boards Work Group. This is a onetime appropriation.