South Carolina General Assembly
107th Session, 1987-1988

Bill 3575


                    Current Status

Bill Number:               3575
Ratification Number:       540
Act Number                 484
Introducing Body:          House
Subject:                   To reauthorize the existence of the South
                           Carolina State Board of Psychology
View additional legislative information at the LPITS web site.


(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

(A484, R540, H3575)

AN ACT TO REAUTHORIZE THE EXISTENCE OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA STATE BOARD OF PSYCHOLOGY FOR SIX YEARS AND TO AMEND SECTION 40-55-60, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE CODE OF ETHICS FOR PSYCHOLOGISTS, SO AS TO AUTHORIZE THE ADOPTION OF THE CODE OF ETHICS FOR PSYCHOLOGISTS AND DELETE THE SPECIFIC REFERENCE TO THE CODE PUBLISHED BY THE AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION AND AN UNNECESSARY DATE AND TO REQUIRE CONSULTATION AND COLLABORATION WITH PHYSICIANS IN EXTENDED PSYCHOTHERAPY CASES. EXCEPT WHERE THE CLIENT IS SEEING THE PSYCHOLOGIST FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION OR MARITAL COUNSELING.

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

SECTION 1. Section 40-55-60 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 40-55-60. The Board may adopt the code of ethics for psychologists to govern the practices and conduct of psychologists licensed under this chapter and shall file a copy of the code with the Secretary of State. Whenever important aspects of a case fall outside the boundaries of the psychologist's competence, he shall consult appropriate specialists. Psychologists who accept for extended psychotherapy any client who is not a medical referral shall refer the client to a qualified physician who is a member of the American Medical Society for a medical examination at any time as the need for the psychotherapy becomes evident or within the first four weeks of professional contact except for clients seen by the psychologist for psychological evaluation or marital counseling. A psychologist may not attempt to diagnose, prescribe for, treat, or advise a client with reference to complaints which are outside the limits of psychological practice as determined by the Board. The Board shall determine areas of specialization of the applicant to practice psychology and inform him of its decision. The Board shall publish a list of licensed psychologists which indicates areas of practice authorized by the Board."

SECTION 2. In accordance with Section 7 of Act 608 of 1978, the existence of the State Board of Psychology is reauthorized for six years.

SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.