Merging the board of social work and board of behavioral science and providing transition provisions

This bill merges the boards of social work and behavioral science into the board of social work and behavioral science. The bill gives the board of social work and behavioral science all the powers and responsibilities of the prior boards. The bill provides that the current members of the boards of social work and behavioral science shall become members of the merged board until their terms otherwise expire or they are otherwise replaced. The bill also provides that the current rules of both boards shall remain in effect until the board of social work and behavioral science amends, rescinds, or supplements the rules, or the rules expire by their own terms. The bill grants the board of social work, the board of behavioral science, and the board of social work and behavioral science emergency rulemaking authority to implement the provisions of the bill. The bill also provides other transition provisions relating to the initial membership of the new board, rules adopted by the former boards, licenses and permits issued by the former boards, funds and client and organization files in the possession of the former boards, causes of action relating to the former boards, and personnel in the state merit system of employment, and makes conforming Code changes.