Action Alerts and Legislative Updates

Governor signs SB 1173: licensed professional counselors; compact

For Immediate Release                                      Press Contact: breiner.naswaz@socialworkers.org  

April 3, 2024

PHOENIX, Arizona – Yesterday SB 1173: licensed professional counselors; compact, was signed into law. We celebrate this tremendous accomplishment for our fellow mental health professionals and commend the legislature and the governor in taking efforts to enhance access to mental health services in our state. 

While we celebrate these efforts, we also must draw attention to the fact that SB 1036: social work compact, is still waiting to be passed by the Arizona State House. Social work is the largest growing profession in our country, with nearly 708,000 social workers nationwide and 3 million globally, yet sadly there is only 1 social worker for every 184 Arizonans. SB 1036, like SB 1173, will enable these critical services to reach underserved and geographically isolated areas of our state while also removing tedious, time-consuming, and expensive barriers for our military community and the social workers supporting them. 

Retired First Sergeant Daniel Brown, who tragically lost a friend to suicide, has shared with elected officials just how these barriers keep some veterans from accessing lifesaving mental health services: 

“I want you to imagine a young airman getting out of the air force here at Luke Air Force Base. He has been receiving care for PTSD and he wants to go home to his home state. Without SB 1036, he would have to stop his care and start over. I can tell you they don’t start over. My friend didn’t.” 

Angela Boswell, a licensed social worker, and military spouse also shared her family’s very personal journey in trying to obtain mental health services: 

“My husband, a retired 20-year Infantry Marine, bravely served our country, but the toll on his mental health, particularly PTSD, has been profound. Tragically, navigating the maze of interstate licensure laws meant that when he needed care the most, we were met with barriers rather than support. The story of countless military spouses facing similar struggles echoes loudly in my ears.SB1036 offers a beacon of hope by facilitating licensure mobility for social workers like myself, ensuring uninterrupted access to vital mental health services for our veterans and their families.”

SB 1036 is pivotal to eliminating barriers to social work practice, enhancing client care, and strengthening public protection. It would be unprecedented for our state to prioritize one mental health profession over the other by passing the counselors compact and not the social work compact, when both of these bills and our professions work so closely together. Arizona needs more counselors as well as social workers. We strongly urge our representatives in the Arizona State House to pass SB 1036. 

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is the largest membership organization of professional social workers in the world. NASW works to enhance the professional growth and development of its members, to create and maintain professional standards for social workers, and to advance sound social policies.

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SB 1036: social work compact

As part of an initiative to promote licensure mobility for military spouses, the Department of Defense selected the social work profession to initiate and establish multistate social work licensing legislation. An interstate compact is a legal contract between two or more states or territories that would enable social workers to practice in each other’s jurisdiction, giving members of the profession more licensure mobility. Thus, removing barriers to practice and addressing the severe shortage of mental health providers in Arizona and across the country. 

While social work is the largest growing profession in our country, with nearly 708,000 social workers nationwide and 3 million globally, there is only 1 social worker for every 184 Arizonans. The Social Work Licensure Compact will enable these critical services to reach underserved and geographically isolated areas of our state while also removing tedious, time-consuming, and expensive barriers for our military community and the social workers supporting them. 

Key Provisions of the bill include: 

• Supporting relocating military spouses and families
• Enhancing the mobility of social workers
• Improving access to professional social work services such as mental health services 
• Enhancing public safety
• Provides continuity of care and prevents delays in care
• Protects clients
• Increases supervisors 
• Reduces administrative barriers
• Allows professionals to enter the workforce sooner
• Contributes a more responsive and competitive workforce 

Regarding regulation, the social work compact preserves the authority of each compact member state. A licensee practicing under a multistate license must abide by the laws, regulations, and rules that govern the practice of social work in the state in which they are located. The Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners would still have jurisdiction over anyone practicing in Arizona under a multistate license. 

This legislation is pivotal to eliminating barriers to social work practice, enhancing client care, and strengthening public protection. 

For more information about the compact, click here. 

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NASW Arizona Urges House Health and Human Services Committee to Vote no on SB 1655

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Social Workers Support Governor Hobbs’ Executive Orders to Prohibit Government-Funded ConversionTherapy and Reinstate Gender-Affirming Healthcare for Minors

The National Association of Social Workers, Arizona Chapter (NASW-AZ) fully supports Governor Hobbs’ Executive Orders to prohibit payment for conversion therapy for minors by any provider receiving state or federal funds and to reinstate gender-affirming healthcare for minors. 

These orders are a step in the right direction to protect LGBTQIA2S+ minors from the dangerous, discredited, and discriminatory practice of sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE), also known as conversion therapy or reparative therapy which is used as a method to attempt to change the sexual orientation of LGBTQIA2S+ individuals to heterosexuality.

The National Association of Social Workers condemns the use of SOCE, Conversion Therapy or so-called Reparative Therapies by any person identifying as a social worker or any agency that identifies as providing social work services. 

“Today we take a step forward to prevent the significant mental health damage being done to children by a practice that is not evidenced-based,” said NASW-AZ Executive Director Brandie Reiner, MSW. “We commend Governor Hobbs’ efforts to move Arizona closer to a full ban on a practice that is already illegal in states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia and is against the core values of the social work profession. Additionally, it is the overwhelming consensus among major medical associations and mental health professional associations that gender- affirming care is a lifesaving, best-practice care for transgender and gender expansive youth.”

These positions are well grounded in evidence-based, peer reviewed, social science research. Research has consistently demonstrated that access to affirming care and professionals is a protective factor against otherwise all too common rates of PTSD, depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, and self-harm. However, when youth are accepted and affirmed the rates of mental distress and suicide decrease. 

Governor Hobbs’ actions demonstrate an unwavering commitment to upholding our core social work values and transforming systems of oppression, making our society more equitable and inclusive for all people. 

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The Arizona Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW-AZ) respectfully urges the House to vote no on SB 1028, SB 1030 and SB 1040. 

The National Association of Social Workers – Arizona Chapter stands opposed to the continuous legislative attempts to attack LGBTQIA+ persons and the discrimination that this legislation symbolizes for the LGBTQIA2S+ community. As a diverse range of professionals working in different settings, social workers are obligated to support all individuals. Legislation aimed at censoring the expression the LGBTQIA2S+ individuals we serve, and attempts to arrest and criminalize the expressions of gender non-conformity are in direct opposition to the inclusion social workers provide and are antithetical to our Code of Ethics and professional values. 

Legislation has been filed that would ban public performances of expression that have been part of human society since its inception. Drag is a form of creative expression like any other form of dance, fashion, or music. Policies to ban or censor such expressions threaten our youth, the LGBTQIA2S+ community, schools, universities, libraries, businesses, and the individuals they serve. The social work Code of Ethics indicates that professional values should never impede a client’s right to self-determination and access to these community and cultural resources. 

Additionally, the United States Department of Health and Humans Services has issued a domestic terror threat warning to LGBTQIA2S+, Jewish, and migrant communities, motivated by the existence of violent ideologies and persistent to lethal threats. Legislation such as this perpetuates unsupported theories, harmful attacks against a community and would make public expressions of transgender identity illegal. Furthermore, these laws criminalize parents simply for taking their child to a pride event or library drag reading and will overburden our already overwhelmed foster care system. 

Social workers empower and support people in their journeys, which may include expressions and explorations about identity and gender. As a profession we support the freedom and autonomy of an individual’s decision-making ability and will continue to provide spaces for conversations about gender identity and sexual orientation. We respectfully request legislators to do the same by listening to the LGBTQIA2S+ community and reflect on how this harmful legislation would impact their daily lives and the social workers working to support them.

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The Arizona Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW-AZ) respectfully urges the Senate to vote no on HB 2530. 

The National Association of Social Workers represents the largest group of professional social workers in the world. As the largest growing profession in our country with nearly 720,000 social workers nationwide and 3 million globally, we represent a diverse range of professionals working in different settings. 

While we do want to see pregnant people with substance use issues receive referrals for treatment, this bill adds additional burdens on DCS and does not actually guarantee this process will result in treatment or care for the unborn fetus. Most pregnant people already discontinue substance use during pregnancy on their own. As medical providers already refer pregnant people to substance abuse providers for treatment, what benefits will it have to involve DCS, an already overburden, underfunded and understaffed agency, in this process? By having a big government agency intervening in individual family needs, it will dissuade pregnant people from disclosing or seeking treatment in the first place for fear of punitive or criminal intervention. As DCS does not ensure the safety of a “fetus”, this sets a precedent for DCS involvement in cases as it relates to an unborn fetus. Will DCS be expected to take calls as it relates to pregnant people living in poverty, domestic violence situations or needing mental health resources? 

Additionally, there is ample research to suggest that this bill would disproportionately affect pregnant people of lower socioeconomic and minority racial groups. Maricopa county has the highest rate of Black families recorded in the child welfare system in the nation. This bill will not improve outcomes and this issue can be resolved preventatively through community resources and by promoting the rights pregnant individuals have to self-determination. Currently, several counties already have programs in place, including Maricopa County’s SHIFT which helps pregnant people navigate the SUD treatment system. 

Furthermore, the legislation uses the language of “substance use” not “substance use disorder” implying there does not need to be a pattern of behavior or a diagnosis. A singular disclosure of substance use may be enough for intervention even though it is unlikely to have substantive effects on the growth or development of the fetus. Additionally, the pregnant person would likely not qualify for “substance use disorder” (SUD) treatment. As most SUD treatment facilities are geared toward men, there are few providers who specialized in the treatment of pregnant people. There are not enough facilities in Arizona to meet this specialized need, and none in rural communities, and as a result, disenfranchised pregnant people would have difficulty fulfilling the “proof of treatment” requirement for mitigating neglect.  

This legislation creates more issues than it solves. It overwhelms a workforce area that is already lacking adequate resources and staffing in our state further burdening a system that currently cannot effectively refer services for the active cases it already has and forces people of lower socioeconomic and minority racial groups to intersect with a racially bias system. 

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The Arizona Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW-AZ) respectfully urges the committee to vote no on SB 1698.  

The National Association of Social Workers represents the largest group of professional social workers in the world. As the largest growing profession in our country with nearly 720,000 social workers nationwide and 3 million globally, we represent a diverse range of professionals working in different settings. We are deeply concerned about any change equating cultural forms of expression to child abuse or neglect and the broader implications that such laws will have on the child welfare system. 

Child abuse and neglect is a public health crisis and it’s unconscionable that our state would create a law equating culturally appropriate forms of expression on any level as such. This law would equate public breastfeeding or taking your child to a swimming pool or a theater performance with child abuse or neglect punishable with a prison sentence. Statistically, we know there is a low rate of conviction for child sexual abuse and as written, this legislation would place higher conviction rates for attending a drag show than for cases where a child was actually sexually assaulted. If this legislation is permitted to pass children could be effectively removed from the households of loving and protective parents and caregivers. 

Legislation aimed at censoring the expression the LGBTQIA2S+ individuals we serve, and attempts to arrest and criminalize the expressions of gender non-conformity are in direct opposition to the inclusion social workers provide and are antithetical to our Code of Ethics and professional values. We know that LGBTQIA2S+ youth are already three times more likely to enter foster care than their non- LGBTQIA2S+ peers. LGBTQIA2S+ youth are also more likely to enter foster care for reasons related to family hostility toward their identity, rather than other common instigating factors such as parental substance concerns, actual child abuse or neglect, etc. LGBTQIA2S+ youth in foster care are generally at heightened risk of ongoing trauma while in the state’s care, including physical and sexual abuse. LGBTQIA+ youth in foster care also experience higher rates of chronic homelessness and often are forced to regard street homelessness as a safer alternative to foster care. 

We should not take actions that further accelerate youth into these systems of care at a time when there is broad bipartisan support to reduce the number of children and families involved in the child welfare system. Additionally, the United States Department of Health and Humans Services has issued a domestic terror threat warning to LGBTQIA2S+, Jewish, and migrant communities, motivated by the existence of violent ideologies and persistent to lethal threats. Legislation such as this perpetuates unsupported theories, harmful attacks against a cultural practice of a particular community and would make public expressions of transgender identity illegal. Furthermore, these laws criminalize parents simply for taking their child to a pride event or library drag reading and will overburden our already overwhelmed foster care system.

In addition, this bill violates the NASW Code of Ethics, which calls on social workers to work on behalf of the well-being of our clients. Section 6 Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to the Broader Society requires social workers to:

• Act to expand choice and opportunity for all people with special regard for vulnerable, disadvantaged, oppressed, and exploited people and groups. [6.04(b)]
• Promote conditions that encourage respect for cultural and social diversity. [6.04 (c)]
• Act to prevent and eliminate domination of, exploitation of, and discrimination against any person, group or class based on race, ethnicity, national origin color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, political belief, religion, immigration status or mental or physical ability. [6.04 (d)]

This bill goes against accepted professional standards of care relating to youth, grounded in scientific research, and supported by mental health experts. For the sake of our youth, their families and the medical and mental health professionals who work with them, we urge you not to pass this harmful piece of legislation.

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The Arizona Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW-AZ) requests advocacy assistance for the following bills: 

In Support: 

• HB 2160: School mental health professionals; academy. While this bill is not moving forward, there was a presentation to the Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Budgetary Funding Formulas on February 16^th. We are hopeful that, through advocacy, we can encourage the legislature to allocate funding for this program in the budget. 
• The bill would create an academy, much like the Teachers Academy, focused on training school social workers. According to Mental Health America, Arizona is ranked 49^th in the country for youth having or reporting higher rates of mental illness and lower rates of access to care. Arizona ranks 43 for youth reports of having a major depressive episode in 2022. Additionally, 70% of youth in Arizona with depression went untreated in the last year. The student to mental health professional ration for a school social worker should be 1:250 and in Arizona it is currently 1:3,382. 
• Please reach out to Representative Gress and thank him for hearing school social workers present on why this bill and funding is needed. Please reach out to all elected officials urging them to allocate funding for this program in the budget. Lastly, please contact Representative Schwiebert and thank her for sponsoring this important policy.
• HB2401: TPT; diapers; feminine hygiene; exemption - Eliminates the luxury tax on diapers and feminine hygiene products. This would make these essential products more affordable for families, especially low-income families. 
• HB2563: on-call health services; appropriations - Appropriates $7,500,000 from the state General Fund (GF) to the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) to use for on-call obstetrics and gynecological services to ensure service availability in areas lacking health services. 
• HB2600: children's behavioral health services fund - Deposits an annual sum from the insurance premium tax to the Children's Behavioral Health Services Fund (Fund). This fund is used to provide services for school aged students who are uninsured or underinsured.
• HB2635: application; threat assessments; resources; students - Authorizes a school district governing board to develop or purchase a digital application to allow students to report safety issues and receive anonymous clinical support that is available at all times; and provides resources to students and parents for mental health, bullying and substance misuse issues.
• HB2142: Produce incentive program; annual appropriation - Appropriates $5,000,000 from the state General Fund to the Arizona Department of Economic Security to implement the Produce Incentive Program in FY 2024. This increases food assistance benefits when used for local, fresh healthy produce.
  
  In Opposition: 
• HB2530: Substance exposure; pregnant women; neglect. While we do want to see pregnant people with substance use issues receive referrals for treatment, this bill would require DCS to reach out to a pregnant person to provide a referral to AHCCCS for treatment. As we know, not all pregnant people with substance use issues qualify for AHCCCS and therefore this referral process would not result in treatment and could result in fewer disclosures to doctors
• HB2313: Child Placement; relative search notice. This legislation would require kin to respond to the department after 30 days and does not specify the need for continuous searches at important decision points and every 6 months (as currently is the process at DCS). As we all know research has shown that children placed in kinship care are less likely to re-enter foster care once reunited with their biological parents, have fewer behavioral problems, and have better cultural and familial connections.
• SB1040: Public schools; restrooms; reasonable accommodations. This bill would ban transgender students and teachers from using school restrooms (and other facilities) that match their gender identity and would allow people to sue schools if this happene

Request to Speak 

NASW Arizona is actively advocating for vulnerable communities and the social work community! It's important for our state legislators and politicians to know we are watching their votes on certain bills. We understand that not everyone can come to the Capitol every day to help us advocate, but you can support or oppose bills from the comfort of your own home!

For further information on creating an account and weighing in on these important legislation, check out this guide from the ACLU: https://www.acluaz.org/en/request-speak

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Governor Hobbs State of the State Address

The following is an official statement from the National Association of Social Workers Arizona Chapter in response to Governor Hobbs State of the State Address. 

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) – Arizona Chapter looks forward to working together with Governor Hobbs and the Arizona Legislature to create policies that reflect the values of Arizona, promote social justice as well as social change, and that foster an environment that treats all individuals with equal respect and dignity. 

We commend Governor Hobbs’ commitment to addressing the growing need for more school social workers and counselors in our Arizona schools. Currently, Arizona has the worst student to school social worker and counselor ratio in the country. School-based mental health services in Arizona are severely lacking – especially during a time when we are collectively bearing witness to the mental health effects of a prolonged pandemic. We know that early identification and effective treatment for children and their families can decrease the rates of teen suicide. We look forward to working with Governor Hobbs’ office to ensure our schools can increase student access to mental health services by hiring more school social workers and counselors.

Additionally, we support Governor Hobbs’ commitment to protecting access to safe and legal abortions. NASW remains resolute in our commitment to protecting reproductive rights and freedoms and affirms all individuals have a right to bodily autonomy. We believe in the expansion of healthcare, and that abortion is a form of necessary reproductive healthcare. We will continue to work with our elected officials to empower and support individuals in their journeys, which may include accessing these forms of health and reproductive care. 

Lastly, we affirm the Governor’s commitment to investing in our state’s growing housing epidemic as well as her plans for a state level child tax care credit. Social workers address the impacts of poverty and economic instability daily. As a profession, we know first-hand that without economic security, every other aspect of living becomes that much harder. 

We appreciate the commitments Governor Hobbs has made to improve the lives of Arizona youth, individuals, families, and communities. We look forward to working with her office and other legislators to execute these policy priorities. 

Brandie Reiner, MSW
Executive Director, NASW, Arizona Chapter

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The Arizona Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW-AZ) letter to Governor Ducey regarding SB 1138, SB 1164 and SB 1165. 

The Honorable Doug Ducey
Governor of Arizona 
1700 West Washington Street
Phoenix, AZ 85007

Dear Governor Ducey, 

The National Association of Social Workers – Arizona Chapter respectfully requests for you to veto SB 1138, SB 1164, and SB 1165. These bills do not reflect the values of Arizona to create and foster an environment for all individuals to live, work, play and raise a family. These policies announce to the rest of the country that Arizona is in fact only open and welcoming to some, rather than to all. 

The National Association of Social Workers represents the largest group of professional social workers in the world and social work is also the largest growing profession in our country with nearly 720,000 social workers nationwide and 3 million globally. We represent a diverse range of professionals working in different settings and legislation aimed at limiting access to services for trans youth or pregnant women has detrimental impacts to the clients and communities we serve. We believe clients should have safe, and protected access to mental and physical health care in our state, and we support all confidential discussions between a provider and a client around the best care for them. Any legislation that allows a person to deny services based on a personal bias is antithetical to our Code of Ethics and professional values.

Legislation that attempts to limit or weaponize conversations within a therapeutic relationship go directly against social work values. The social work Code of Ethics indicates that professional values should never impede a client’s right to self-determination and access to care and resources. Social workers empower and support people in their journeys, which may include explorations about identity or resources related to terminating a pregnancy. 

Regarding SB 1138, it is the overwhelming consensus among major medical associations and mental health professional associations that gender-affirming care is a lifesaving, best-practice care for transgender and gender expansive youth.These positions are well grounded in evidence-based, peer reviewed, social science research. Our social work professionals rely on the current and essential care rendered by Arizona medical professionals. Research has consistently demonstrated that access to affirming care and professionals is a protective factor against otherwise all too common rates of PTSD, depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, and self-harm. However, when youth are accepted and affirmed the rates of mental distress and suicide decrease. Access to gender-affirming care for youth saves lives, reduces the likelihood of harm, and promotes healing. 

Furthermore, SB 1165 attempts to elevate a problem in K-12 sports that does not exist in Arizona. It is an overreach of state government that implies the Arizona Interscholastic Association cannot fairly regulate competitive female sporting programs. Children just want to fit in and play with their peers. Further stigmatizing and isolating them only serves to harm. Additionally, it puts our state at an economic risk of losing future NCAA tournaments which contribute to the state’s tourism revenue.

Lastly, pregnancy can be a high-risk time in a person’s life and an abortion may be medically necessary to preserve a patient’s health, future fertility, or their life. Legislation such as SB 1164, would force clinicians into an unconscionable choice between their patients needed care or violating state law. Restrictive laws such as this could undermine efforts to recruit and retain clinicians in Arizona at a time when our healthcare system is already strained and in need of these medical professionals. 

We respectfully request you to listen to individuals impacted by these harmful bills and the social workers working to support them. In addition, we ask to seek perspectives from the professional medical and mental health communities about how these bills would endanger licensed professionals and damage interactions with clients and communities. Social workers must have the freedom and autonomy as a profession to support everyone’s decision-making ability and provide the space for conversations about gender identity and protect discussions between a provider and a client around reproductive care. For the sake of our youth, women in Arizona, their families and the medical and mental health professionals who work with them, we urge you to veto SB 1138, SB 1164, and SB 1165.

Brandie Reiner, MSW
Executive Director, NASW, Arizona Chapter

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The Arizona Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW-AZ) respectfully urges the House Judiciary Committee to vote no on SB 1399. 

The National Association of Social Workers represents the largest group of professional social workers in the world. Social work is also the largest growing profession in our country with nearly 720,000 social workers nationwide and 3 million globally. We represent a diverse range of professionals working in different settings and legislation that seeks to promote reasonable accommodations for people of faith must do so in a manner that protects all Arizonans equally, regardless of their beliefs. 

We do not believe SB 1399 adequately balances the rights and wellbeing of children in the state’s care and this imbalance is intolerable:An agency could refuse to provide family reunification services to a parent who does not go to church or was divorced.

• An agency could refuse to care for children who do not share its faith or turn away prospective adoptive or foster families who practice a different religion.
• A foster home could impose a particular religion on children in its care, regardless of whether the children share that faith.
• An employee of any private agency could place a child with strangers instead of a close relative because the relative is gay or transgender.  
• An employee with pacifist religious beliefs could refuse to perform a home study needed to place a medically needy child with a doctor who is able to care for her because the doctor served in the military.
• A foster family could actively obstruct a pregnant teenager from accessing reproductive care.
• A secular child welfare agency that contracts with the state could be unable to enforce its own policies and procedures against employees who claim to act on the basis of personal religious beliefs.

Additionally, LGBTQIA+ youth are already three times more likely to enter foster care than their non-LGBTQIA+ peers. We should not take actions that further discriminate against youth in these systems of care at a time when there is broad bipartisan support to reduce the number of children and families involved in the child welfare system.

The state’s child welfare services must provide for every child in need of its protection. The system functions best when it reflects the diverse values and cultural traditions of our great state. We do not believe that SB 1399 advances these goals to uphold our commitment to religious liberty without sacrificing the right children and families have to be treated with equal respect and dignity under the law.

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Testimony on SB 1138 from House Judiciary Committee on 3/9/2022

The National Association of Social Workers represents the largest group of professional social workers in the world. Social work is also the largest growing profession in our country with nearly 720,000 social workers nationwide and 3 million globaly. We represent a diverse range of professionals working in different settings and legislation aimed at limiting access to services for trans youth has detrimental impacts to the communities we serve. We believe clients should have safe, and protected access to mental and physical health care for all persons in our state, and we support all confidential discussions between a provider and a client around the best care for them. 

It is the overwhelming consensus among major medical associations and mental health professional associations that gender- affirming care is a lifesaving, best-practice care for transgender and gender expansive youth. These positions are well grounded in evidence-based, peer reviewed, social science research. Our social work professionals rely on the current and essential care rendered by Arizona medical professionals. Research has consistently demonstrated that access to affirming care and professionals is a protective factor against otherwise all too common rates of PTSD, depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, and self-harm. However, when youth are accepted and affirmed the rates of mental distress and suicide decrease. Access to gender-affirming care for youth saves lives, reduces the likelihood of harm, and promotes healing. 

In addition, this bill violates the NASW Code of Ethics, which calls on social workers to work on behalf of the well-being of our clients. Section 6 Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to the Broader Society requires social workers to: 

Act to expand choice and opportunity for all people with special regard for vulnerable, disadvantaged, oppressed, and exploited people and groups. [6.04(b)]

Promote conditions that encourage respect for cultural and social diversity. [6.04 (c)]

Act to prevent and eliminate domination of, exploitation of, and discrimination against any person, group or class based on race, ethnicity, national origin color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, political belief, religion, immigration status or mental or physical ability. [6.04 (d)]

This bill does not support the core values of the social work profession and goes against accepted professional standards of care relating to transgender youth, grounded in scientific research, and supported by medical and mental health experts. For the sake of our youth, their families and the medical and mental health professionals who work with them, we urge you not to pass this legislation.

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The Arizona Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW-AZ) requests advocacy assistance for the following bills during the week of Feb. 28, 2022: 

In Support:

• SB 1272 (AHCCCS; postpartum care; eligibility; appropriations): By increasing coverage to one year postpartum, lives will be saved. Fifty percent of maternal deaths occur in the first year after giving birth and 85% of them are preventable with access to health care. Roughly one in 7 women experiences postpartum depression (PPD) in the year following birth. Low-income women are 11 times more likely to develop PPD than higher-income women.
  
  
• HB 2274 (appropriation; stipend; kindship foster care): Appropriation; Stipend; Kinship Care increases the kinship stipend from $75 per month per child to $300 per month per child. Keeping children within their communities is shown to have positive effects and minimizes the trauma children in systems of care already face. Bills like HB 2274 provide people that already exist in the children’s circles with financial support giving them access to more resources to help the children feel secure in their new environment.

In Opposition:

• SB 1581 (technical correction; industrial development; insurance): Essentially criminalizes homelessness. Allows the Arizona Dept of Housing to disburse grants to a city, town or county to “establish a sanctioned camping site for homeless individuals.”  To be eligible to receive the grant the city or county must “enforce ordinances in place that prohibit sleeping and camping in public places that are not designated as camping sites.” The bill also allows the department to disburse grants to “nonprofit organizations to establish or support homeless outreach teams.” Homeless outreach teams are required to include “law enforcement officers, contracted off-duty law enforcement officers or contracted security officers” and social service and mental health professionals. Municipalities and counties are not liable in any civil action that arises out of the operation of a camp unless it involves intentional or gross negligent conduct.
• SB 1138 (irreversible gender reassignment surgery; minors): Our social work professionals rely on the current and essential care rendered by Arizona medical and mental health professionals. Research has consistently demonstrated that access to affirming care and professionals is a protective factor against otherwise all too common rates of PTSD, depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, and self-harm, when youth are accepted and affirmed the rates of mental illness and suicide decrease.
• SCR 1012: Imposes new ID requirements on vote by mail (have to put SS number, voter ID number or Driver’s License number on your mail in ballot) and requires photos ID for person voting (eliminating existing non-shot ID options). Referral and would appear on the November 2022 ballot if it passes. 
• HCR 2025: Contains most of the same from SCR 1012 but not all the provision of the voter ID citizen initiative. Requires mail in ballot voters to include an ID number (DL/state ID, SSN or voter ID) and their DOB on the mail ballot affidavit. For in person voting, eliminates non-photo ID options. Ballot referral would be on November 2022 ballot if passed.
• HB 2161 (parental rights; schools; educational records): A transparent attempt by legislators to deprive students of a diverse and inclusive education. Having staff supportive of LGBTQ students was related to feeling safer in school and missing fewer days of school. Students with more supportive staff at their schools were less likely to feel unsafe regarding their sexual orientation or gender expression, as well as less likely to miss school because of feeling unsafe or uncomfortable. For example, 44.8% of students with a high number (11 or more) of supportive staff reported feeling unsafe regarding their sexual orientation, compared to 74.2% of students with low number (0 to 5) of supportive staff.
• SB 1165 (interscholastic; intramural athletics; biological sex): As a diverse range of professionals working in different settings, social workers are obligated to support all individuals. Legislation aimed at limiting access to services or activities for trans youth has detrimental impacts to LGBTQIA+ individuals. The legislature’s attempts to ban care for trans youth or create exclusionary policies for sports are in direct opposition to the inclusion social workers provide. Any legislation that allows a person to deny services based on a personal bias is antithetical to our Code of Ethics and professional values.

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SB 1620: social worker positions; qualifications; prohibitions

The Arizona Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW-AZ) has worked with Senator Rios to introduce SB 1620: social worker positions; qualifications; prohibitions.

In Arizona, Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) have title protection under the law and legislation enacted last year eliminated a loophole for anyone advertising or practicing psychotherapy without a license. We have heard from many of you in the community that agencies still advertise for social work positions but hire individuals without a social work degree, while still calling the role a social worker. The bill seeks to: 

• Restrict advertising of “social work services” to those individuals who hold a social work degree.
• Set minimum standards for hiring social work positions and protects the scope of social work practice. 

• Enhance the delivery of social work services by state, county, and city agencies.
• Address workforce shortage issues by ensuring social workers are hired to fill social services positions and ensures salary expectations.  

NASW-AZ strongly recommends the legislature protect individuals, families, and our communities from receiving sub-standard services by enacting a form of title protection to ensure only properly trained social workers are hired into social work positions.

Additionally, we thank Senators Gabaldon, Otondo, Quezada, Steele and Representative Dalessandro who have also co-sponsored this legislation. 

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SB 1165, SB 1130, SB 1138

The National Association of Social Workers – Arizona Chapter stands opposed to the continuous legislative attempts to attack and discriminate against LGBTQIA+ persons and the discrimination that legislation symbolizes for the LGBTQIA+ community. As a diverse range of professionals working in different settings, social workers are obligated to support all individuals. Legislation aimed at limiting access to services or activities for trans youth has detrimental impacts to LGBTQIA+ individuals. The legislature’s attempts to ban care for trans youth or create exclusionary policies for sports are in direct opposition to the inclusion social workers provide. Any legislation that allows a person to deny services based on a personal bias is antithetical to our Code of Ethics and professional values. 

Legislation has been filed that would make gender-affirming care child abuse and legislation that attempts to limit or weaponize conversations within a therapeutic relationship go directly against social work values. The social work Code of Ethics indicates that professional values should never impede a client’s right to self-determination and access to care and resources. Social workers empower and support people in their journeys, which may include explorations about identity. Those conversations within any type of social work relationship should never be defined as child abuse or serve as a reason to terminate services, as some Arizona legislation would propose. 

We respectfully request legislators to listen to the LGBTQIA+ community and reflect on how this harmful legislation would impact them and the social workers working to support them. In addition, we ask that they truly listen to all perspectives from the professional medical and mental health communities about how this legislation would endanger licensed professionals and damage interactions with clients and communities. Social workers must have the freedom and autonomy as a profession to support everyone’s decision-making ability and provide the space for conversations about gender identity and sexual orientation. 

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HB 2811, SB 1164, SB 1347, SB 1340, SB 1339 

The Arizona Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW-AZ) remains opposed to any efforts to limit, restrict, or ban reproductive care and access for any person, including abortion and conversations with social workers about abortion and reproductive options. We believe in the expansion of healthcare, and abortion is a form of healthcare. Social Work Speaks, 12ed, and the NASW priorities are guided by a person’s right to choose their care:

-“NASW opposes the repeal of Roe V. Wade.” (Social Work Speaks, 12^th Edition)

-“NASW supports efforts to objectively educate individuals on the range of options available to them when facing an unplanned pregnancy, including abortion and adoption services, based on evidence and the beliefs of the client.” (Social Work Speaks, 12^th Edition)

-The NASW Code of Ethics, Section 1.02, compels us to respect and promote the right of our clients to self-determination and assist clients in their efforts to identify and clarify their own life goals. 

-Ensure that every Arizonan has access to affordable, quality healthcare, with an emphasis on low-income and at-risk populations, including women’s reproductive health, and explore ways to increase Medicaid eligibility and access.

We oppose the numerous legislative efforts to restrict abortion access. NASW-AZ advocates for safe, legal access to reproductive care for all persons in our state, and we support all discussions between a provider and a client around reproductive care. NASW-AZ will continue to support access to reproductive health, including abortion, and oppose efforts to restrict or limit access.

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Bill from 2021 Session (everything above this section is for the current legislative session): 

SB 1482 (professions; therapy ban prohibition)

The Arizona Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW-AZ) is strongly opposed to SB 1482 (professions; therapy ban prohibition). This legislation creates a gray area between what is permitted in statute and what is ethically responsible by allowing a clinician to discriminate or practice unsupported and harmful techniques against a client based on selective personal values. Additionally, this bill appears to remove the role of licensing boards in disciplining or withdrawing the license of individuals who conduct harmful, unethical and unsupported therapeutic techniques, posing the greatest risk to the public. These unethical and harmful practices might include performing techniques known to be ineffective, dangerous and not based in science, all under the umbrella of a clinician’s “conscience or religious belief”. If passed, this bill would remove fundamental protections for ethical therapeutic practice on a broad basis. 

Additionally, under the NASW Code of Ethics, social workers are already able to decline services to a client based on their competencies and training, but they cannot discriminate based on the clinician’s selective personal values or religious beliefs. No client should be subject to an unethical, unsupported or harmful treatment based solely on the provider’s personal values. Conscience bills such as SB 1482 lead to dysfunctional mental health delivery and compromise the quality of care by creating barriers to meeting the needs of the client. 

NASW-AZ strongly opposes violating the professional and ethical principles set forth by professional mental health standards and administered in alignment with the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiner’s responsibility to protect the safety and well-being of the public. Furthermore, we oppose the violation of a client’s autonomy and self-determination based on an effort to protect an individual’s “conscience or religious belief” that does not align with the social work profession’s ethical principles, standards or values. 

SB 1089:

The Senate Health and Human Services Committee heard SB 1089 (behavioral health professionals; unauthorized practice) on Wednesday, February 3rd. In general, NASW Arizona has been supportive of this bill as it takes necessary actions to ensure professional integrity and public safety. However, at this time NASW Arizona cannot support the amendment to A.R.S.32-3293 related to licensed clinical social workers, licensure and qualifications. 

The adopted amendment would lower the 3,200 total hours required toward clinical licensure and would only require the 1,600 of direct client contact hours within the twenty-four months following receipt of a master’s degree. The amendment still requires the 100 hours of supervision but eliminates the 1,600 indirect client service hours. This change is inconsistent with neighboring states in our region and brings our standards to one of the lowest in the nation. Additionally, we have found no research nor evidence related to professional standards for social work licensure to support this change. Moreover, we raise concerns with respect to licensure mobility and caution this may inadvertently place undue burden and barriers for social work professionals seeking licensure endorsements in other states. 

The requirements for indirect hours are reinforced by a standardized exam for clinical social worker (CSW) licensure, which the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) administers and is required in all states for social work licensure. If candidates do not practice the necessary indirect tasks required for practice, it could compromise their preparation for the exam and overall test results. Without further evidence to ensure the flexibility, mobility and professional integrity of our licensure standards, we cannot support this amendment, or this bill at this time. 

If there are issues related to understanding the requirements needed for direct and indirect hours for clinical licensure, we respectfully request data to support this and request to work directly with the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners (ABBHE) rather than requiring statutory changes. We acknowledge the need for more licensed clinical social workers in our communities across Arizona and are committed to working constructively with local partners, community leaders, the state legislature and the ABBHE to implement effective licensing policy for social work. 

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