Yesterday, April 24, 2023, Maryland Governor Wes Moore signed HB 871 - Social Workers - Sunset Extension, Notification of Complete Application, and Workgroup on Social Worker Requirements for Licensure. A requirement of the Bill is to establish a Workgroup to determine several issues including:

• Whether to continue to use examinations developed by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) as a requirement for a bachelor social worker license or a master social worker license.
•  Whether to establish a temporary license for applicants for a bachelor social worker license or master social worker license, who, except for passing the required examination, meet the education and  experience requirements for licensure.
• How supervision may be provided to bachelor social worker licensees and master social worker licensees at no cost to the licensees; and
• If the workgroup determines that the ASWB examination should not be used or that temporary licenses should be established, whether additional experience or education requirements are necessary.

HB 871 specified the makeup of the Workgroup which includes one person from the GWSCSW chosen by the President. I have had a request by leadership to serve as a member of the Workgroup. As a Black female Social Worker over the age of 50, I am honored to represent the GWSCSW. I ask a few things of members. Please read the final version of HB871 and the requirements for the Workgroup and provide me with your thoughts, questions, and suggestions for possible discussion during Workgroup meetings.

As there is the possibility of the formation of subgroups, or the need for an Alternate GWSCSW member, I ask anyone interested in serving, especially anyone from the groups adversely affected by the ASWB exam (e.g., African Americans, Persons over 50, the Deaf Community, and the ESL Community) to contact me a let me know of your interest.

As always, please feel free to contact me directly.

Karla J. Abney, MSW, MSN, LMSW

President - GWSCSW

karla.j.abney@gmail.com