AUGUSTA - Rep. Lydia Crafts, D-Newcastle, presented legislation Tuesday at a public hearing before the Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee that would improve access to social work services in Maine by enacting an interstate social work licensure compact.
Currently, social workers must seek a separate license in each state and territory in which they wish to practice, which can be labor- and time-intensive. LD 2140 would allow social workers to practice across different jurisdictions that have enacted the compact, enhancing license mobility within the profession. This change would improve public access to social work services, support relocating military families and allow for expanded use of telehealth technologie
"Maine, like many other states, is facing a critical shortage of mental health workers," said Crafts, a licensed clinical social worker. "A national social worker compact would tackle this issue on three fronts. It would increase the mobility of social workers, improve access to professional social work services and improve continuity of care when clients travel or relocate."
Similar legislation has been introduced in 23 other states, and on Feb. 5, South Dakota became the second state to join Missouri in enacting the social work licensure compact. The compact will become active once enacted into law by seven states.
Waitlists for mental health services in Maine are a major challenge facing the state. For example, in 2023, Kennebec Behavioral Health CEO Thomas McAdam said roughly 1,200 people were on their waitlist, nearly double that of 2020. He stated that the primary driver of these long waitlists is provider shortage.
Crafts continues to lead efforts in the Legislature to support Maine's social workers. Last session, she introduced legislation that would expand a program to cover student loan debt for eligible social workers to help attract and retain more professionals to provide care for the children and adults waiting for support. Additionally, Crafts introduced legislation to support educators in addressing the behavioral health needs of Maine students. Currently, both bills are awaiting action on the Legislature's Appropriations Table.
Several advocacy groups supported the bill at its public hearing, including MaineHealth, Health Affiliates Maine, Maine Primary Care Association, NAMI Maine and Behavioral Health Community Collaborative.
The Legislature's Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee will hold a work session on the bill in the coming weeks. Rep. Crafts is serving her second term in the Maine House and represents Bristol, Damariscotta, Newcastle, Nobleboro and Monhegan Plantation. She is House chair of the Legislature's Transportation Committee.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Crafts], c. 305-965-2744