Virginia · 2025 Regular Session · Bill
HB 1897: Master's social worker; scope of practice, regulations.
Enacted Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
HB 1897 is a bill introduced in the Virginia House on January 6, 2025. According to its official title, it concerns: Master's social worker; scope of practice, regulations. Primary sponsor: Rod Willett (Democratic). Most recent recorded action (March 19, 2025): Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0146).
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
Official summary
Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.
Board of Social Work; Board of Counseling; master's social worker; scope of practice; regulations. Expands the scope of practice of master's social workers to allow the provision of clinical services under the supervision of a licensed clinical social worker. The bill also directs the Board of Social Work to promulgate regulations to allow master's social workers to engage in clinical services under the supervision of a licensed clinical social worker and directs the Board of Counseling to amend its regulations to state that a licensed baccalaureate social worker shall not be required to (i) register with the Board of Counseling or (ii) fulfill any additional training or education requirements in order to serve as a qualified mental health professional-trainee. The bill directs the Department of Medical Assistance Services and the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to amend their regulations to deem the services provided by a licensed baccalaureate social worker to be equivalent to the services provided by a qualified mental health professional-trainee and reimbursed at a comparable rate, and directs the Department of Medical Assistance Services to seek all necessary federal authority to enact such changes.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rod Willett | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 58 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0146)
- Approved by Governor-Chapter 146 (Effective 07/01/25)
- Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., March 24, 2025
- Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 11, 2025
- Signed by President
- Signed by Speaker
- Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1897)
- Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1897ER)
- Enrolled
- Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)
- Read third time
- Passed by for the day
Showing 12 most recent of 33 actions. Full history