South Carolina General Assembly
104th Session, 1981-1982

Bill 3651

                    Current Status

Bill Number:               3651
Ratification Number:       563
Act Number                 453
Introducing Body:          House
Subject:                   Relating to the State Board of Social
                           Worker Registration
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(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

(A453, R563, H3651)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 40-63-20, 40-63-30, 40-63-50, AND 40-63-60, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE STATE BOARD OF SOCIAL WORKER REGISTRATION, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR A LAY MEMBER OF THE BOARD; TO PROVIDE THAT THE SECRETARY AND TREASURER SHALL BE DIFFERENT OFFICERS AND THAT THE NUMBER OF BOARD MEETINGS BE INCREASED; TO PROVIDE THAT NONRESIDENTS EMPLOYED IN THE STATE MAY BE REGISTERED; TO PROVIDE THAT FEES SHALL BE ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES ACT AND TO PROVIDE FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

Board of Social Worker Registration created

Section 1. Section 40-63-20 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 40-63-20. There is created the State Board of Social Worker Registration to be composed of seven members appointed by the Governor, one of whom shall be a lay member and six of whom shall be registered social workers. All members shall be residents of the State and the social workers shall have been in the active practice of social work for at least five years prior to appointment.

The terms of the members shall be for three years and until their successors are appointed and qualify. Members of the Board shall be eligible for reappointment but may not serve more than two consecutive terms.

The Governor may remove any member for cause, but no member shall be removed without first giving him an opportunity to refute the charges filed against him. He shall be given a copy of the charges at the time they are filed."

Board to elect officers

Section 2. Section 40-63-30 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 40-63-30. The Board shall annually elect a chairman, vice-chairman, secretary, and treasurer from its membership. The secretary shall keep a complete record of its proceedings and the treasurer shall keep a complete record of accounts. The records shall be open to public inspection at all reasonable times.

The Board shall adopt a seal for its use which shall remain in custody of the secretary.

At least four regular meetings of the Board shall be held each year at such times and places as the Board may prescribe, and special meetings may be held upon call of the chairman and any two members. Four members of the Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

The members shall be allowed such per diem, mileage, and subsistence as provided by law for members of boards, commissions, and committees, to be paid from the general fund of the State."

Qualifications for applicants

Section 3. Section 40-63-50 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 40-63-50. Applicants for registration and certification shall be residents of or be employed in the State and shall have the following qualifications:

(1) A master's degree from a school of social work accredited by the National Council on Social Work Education, or

(2) Membership in good standing in the National Association of Social Workers on May 29, 1968."

Fees

Section 4. Section 40-63-60 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 40-63-60. The Board shall establish fees for registration, annual renewals, and delinquency renewals pursuant to Act 176 of 1977, the Administrative Procedures Act.

Any person who fails to renew his registration for a period of more than one year shall be stricken from the rolls and his registration may be renewed only by meeting the requirements of this chapter for new applications and such additional requirements as the Board may prescribe."

Present members to continue to serve

Section 5. The present members of the Board shall continue to serve until the expiration of their terms and until their successors are appointed and qualify. The lay member shall be appointed upon the expiration of the next term of those presently serving.

Board to establish regulations

Section 6. The Board shall establish regulations pursuant to Act 176 of 1977, the Administrative Procedures Act, requiring continuing education as a condition for annual renewal of registration and shall establish an advisory committee representative of educators in the field of social work and registered social workers to recommend the continuing education requirements.

Time effective

Section 7. This act shall take effect upon the approval by the Governor.