(New Title) relative to alcohol and other drug use professionals and relative to the qualifications to obtain certain occupational licenses.
HB 1328 revises several occupational licensing provisions affecting alcohol and other drug use professionals, speech-language assistants, and recreational therapists. For alcohol and other drug use professionals, the bill changes the composition of the licensing board by reducing the number of master licensed alcohol and drug counselors from four to three and increasing certified recovery support workers from one to two. It also requires each CRSW board member to be a New Hampshire resident, certified in good standing, actively practicing, and to have at least three years of experience, with two of those years immediately preceding appointment.
The bill removes the license category of “licensed clinical supervisor” from the alcohol and drug counseling chapter. It repeals the statutory definition, scope of practice, initial licensing provisions, and continuing education requirements for that credential, and it eliminates use of the title and abbreviation associated with it. Those changes are delayed until July 1, 2030, while the rest of the bill takes effect 60 days after passage.
HB 1328 also updates qualifications for two other licensed occupations. For speech-language assistants, it directs the board’s rulemaking to require at least a two-year associate’s degree from an approved speech-language pathology or equivalent program. For recreational therapists, it broadens the academic qualification language by removing the specific requirement that the baccalaureate degree be in therapeutic recreation or a closely related recreation/leisure major, while retaining the field experience requirement under NCTRC supervision.
The bill’s impact on state law is to streamline and modernize licensing standards across these professions, particularly by eliminating an unused or redundant alcohol and drug counseling license type and by giving the licensing board more flexibility in setting qualifications. It also affects the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification and the regulated professionals who seek board appointments or occupational licensure under RSA 330-C, RSA 326-F, and RSA 326-J. The fiscal note indicates the bill has a minimal fiscal impact of less than $10,000 in each fiscal year from 2026 through 2029.
There is no recorded committee transcript or vote history provided, so the overall sentiment cannot be measured from debate or roll call data. Based on the bill’s structure and fiscal note, it appears largely administrative and technical rather than controversial, with the main policy choices centered on professional standards, board composition, and the phaseout of the licensed clinical supervisor credential.
HB 1328 amends RSA 330-C, RSA 326-F, and RSA 326-J to change licensing-board membership, remove the licensed clinical supervisor credential from alcohol and drug counseling law, and revise qualification standards for speech-language assistants and recreational therapists. It affects the Board of Licensing for Alcohol and Other Drug Use Professionals, the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification, and applicants for the affected occupational licenses. The bill has a delayed effective date for the repeal of the clinical supervisor provisions until July 1, 2030, and a minimal fiscal impact.
No committee transcripts or votes were provided, so there is no direct record of support or opposition in the available materials. The bill reads as a technical licensing update with limited fiscal impact, suggesting generally neutral or pragmatic sentiment rather than a highly polarized debate. The delayed repeal of the clinical supervisor credential may indicate an effort to allow for transition and reduce disruption.
The most likely point of contention is the elimination of the licensed clinical supervisor credential, which removes an existing title, scope of practice, and licensing pathway from the alcohol and drug counseling chapter. Stakeholders tied to that credential may view the repeal as a loss of professional recognition or a narrowing of career pathways, while supporters may see it as simplifying the licensing structure. Another possible area of discussion is the change in board composition, which reduces master licensed alcohol and drug counselors and increases certified recovery support workers, potentially shifting representation on the board. The revised education and experience requirements for speech-language assistants and recreational therapists could also draw attention from training programs and professional associations, though the bill’s language suggests these changes are intended to align qualifications with current practice standards.