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148B.60 Definitions.

Subdivision 1. Terms. As used in sections 148B.60 to 148B.71, the following terms have the meanings given them in this section.

Subd. 2. Office of mental health practice or office. "Office of mental health practice" or "office" means the office of mental health practice established in section 148B.61.

Subd. 3. Unlicensed mental health practitioner or practitioner. "Unlicensed mental health practitioner" or "practitioner" means a person who provides or purports to provide, for remuneration, mental health services as defined in subdivision 4. It does not include persons licensed by the board of medical practice under chapter 147 or registered by the board of medical practice under chapter 147A; the board of nursing under sections 148.171 to 148.285; the board of psychology under sections 148.88 to 148.98; the board of social work under sections 148B.18 to 148B.289; the board of marriage and family therapy under sections 148B.29 to 148B.39; or another licensing board if the person is practicing within the scope of the license; members of the clergy who are providing pastoral services in the context of performing and fulfilling the salaried duties and obligations required of a member of the clergy by a religious congregation; American Indian medicine men and women; licensed attorneys; probation officers; school counselors employed by a school district while acting within the scope of employment as school counselors; registered occupational therapists; or occupational therapy assistants. For the purposes of complaint investigation or disciplinary action relating to an individual practitioner, the term includes:

(1) persons employed by a program licensed by the commissioner of human services who are acting as mental health practitioners within the scope of their employment;

(2) persons employed by a program licensed by the commissioner of human services who are providing chemical dependency counseling services; persons who are providing chemical dependency counseling services in private practice; and

(3) clergy who are providing mental health services that are equivalent to those defined in subdivision 4.

Subd. 4. Mental health services. "Mental health services" means psychotherapy and the professional assessment, treatment, or counseling of another person for a cognitive, behavioral, emotional, social, or mental condition, symptom, or dysfunction, including intrapersonal or interpersonal dysfunctions. The term does not include pastoral services provided by members of the clergy to members of a religious congregation in the context of performing and fulfilling the salaried duties and obligations required of a member of the clergy by that religious congregation.

Subd. 5. Mental health client or client. "Mental health client" or "client" means a person who receives or pays for the services of a mental health practitioner.

Subd. 6. Repealed, 1996 c 305 art 1 s 38

Subd. 7. Commissioner. "Commissioner" means the commissioner of health or the commissioner's designee.

Subd. 8. Disciplinary action. "Disciplinary action" means an adverse action taken by the commissioner against an unlicensed mental health practitioner relating to the person's right to provide mental health services.

HIST: 1991 c 106 s 6; 1991 c 292 art 2 s 50; 1995 c 63 s 6; 1995 c 205 art 2 s 4; 1997 c 193 s 47; 2000 c 460 s 32

Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes