Alaska 33rd Legislature (2023-2024) Status: In Committee Bipartisan · 2 D · 1 R cosponsors

SB 116 — An Act relating to the Board of Professional Counselors; relating to licensing of associate counselors; and providing for an effective date.

Last action — (S) Minutes (SFIN)

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 33rd Legislature (2023-2024). It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Bill Text

How this bill changes current law

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AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

The bill amends laws related to the licensing of professional and associate counselors in Alaska by updating requirements and removing outdated provisions.

  • AS 08.29.020(a)

    [OR] a licensed counselor,

    Removes the title 'licensed counselor' from the list of licenses the board issues.

  • AS 08.29.100(a)

    [OR] "licensed counselor,"

    Removes 'licensed counselor' from the titles that cannot be used by unlicensed individuals.

  • AS 08.29.110(a)

    [SUBMITS TWO LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION FROM PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS WHO ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE APPLICANT'S PRACTICE OF PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING,]

    Eliminates the requirement for two letters of recommendation for obtaining a professional counselor license.

  • AS 08.29.110(a)

    [DURING OR AFTER EARNING THE MASTER'S DEGREE]

    Removes the stipulation that 60 graduate semester hours in counseling must occur during or after earning the master's degree.

  • AS 08.29.110(a)

    [FACE-TO-FACE] supervision [BY A SUPERVISOR] approved [UNDER AS 08.29.210 UNLESS,] under regulations of the board [, THE BOARD ALLOWS THE SUPERVISION TO BE BY TELEPHONIC OR ELECTRONIC MEANS BECAUSE OF THE REMOTE LOCATION OF THE COUNSELOR].

    Removes the specific supervision requirements and adds flexibility for supervision methods.

  • AS 08.29.120(a)

    [COUNSELING]

    Removes the word 'counseling' from the licensing scope for individuals licensed in other jurisdictions.

  • AS 08.29.220

    [PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR'S]

    Removes 'professional counselor's' before 'areas of specialization' and 'fee schedule' for clarity.

Action History

  1. (S) Minutes (SFIN)

  2. (S) Heard & Held

  3. (S) FINANCE at 09:00 AM SENATE FINANCE 532

  4. (S) COSPONSOR(S): GRAY-JACKSON, DUNBAR

  5. (S) REFERRED TO FINANCE

  6. (S) FN1: (CED)

  7. (S) DP: BJORKMAN, DUNBAR, GRAY-JACKSON

  8. (S) L&C RPT 3DP

  9. (S) Minutes (SL&C)

  10. (S) Moved SB 116 Out of Committee

  11. (S) LABOR & COMMERCE at 01:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)

  12. (S) Minutes (SL&C)

  13. (S) Heard & Held

  14. (S) LABOR & COMMERCE at 01:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)

  15. (S) L&C, FIN

  16. (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 2 co-sponsors · 62 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (2)

Not signed on (62)

62 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

healthcare labor
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 116?
SB 116 is sponsored by Forrest Dunbar (D), Elvi Gray-Jackson (D), and Cathy Giessel (R).
What is the current status of SB 116?
This bill died with 33rd Legislature (2023-2024). It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track SB 116?
Track SB 116 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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