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S 218

Relates to crossbows; repealer

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Patrick Gallivan and 4 co-sponsors

The SUPER Act aims to boost Massachusetts social work by removing some licensing exam requirements, creating paid MSW practicum grants prioritizing marginalized students, adding CE

REFERRED TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
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Bill Summary · S 218

Note on source materials
- The metadata supplied (bill number S 218, title “Relates to crossbows; repealer”, committee referral to Environmental Conservation, and a list of U.S. Senate cosponsors) appears inconsistent with the bill text provided. The substantive text in the packet is a Massachusetts Senate bill (Senate Docket No. 1765 / Senate No. 218 in the 194th General Court) titled “An Act relative to social work uplifting practices and exam removal (“The SUPER Act”).”
- This summary focuses on the actual bill text (the SUPER Act) and highlights the key provisions, affected parties, and procedural points. If you intended a different S.218 (crossbow-related) bill, please provide the correct text or clarify.

Summary — “The SUPER Act” (MA Senate No. 218 / S. Docket 1765)
Purpose and intent
- The bill seeks to increase recruitment, retention, diversity, and support for the social work workforce in Massachusetts by (1) removing certain licensing examination requirements for social workers, (2) establishing a paid practicum placement grant program for Master of Social Work (MSW) students, (3) recognizing supervision time with continuing education credit, and (4) requiring an evaluation of the effects of removing the exam requirement.

Key provisions and changes
1. Removal of licensing exam language
- Section 1 strikes the phrase requiring candidates to “has passed an examination prepared by the board for this purpose” from section 131 of chapter 112 (removes a statutory exam requirement language).
- Section 2 narrows/changes language in section 132 — replacing “Examinations for licensed certified social workers, including those in independent clinical practice” with “Examinations for licensed independent clinical social workers.” (Effect: statutory language retains exam reference for independent clinical social workers but removes/limits exam language for other categories.)

  1. Paid practicum placement grant program (new section 135D, chapter 112)

    • Establishes a paid practicum placement grant program for MSW students in good standing, subject to appropriation.
    • Prioritizes recruitment and retention of MSW students from historically marginalized and low-income communities.
    • Eligible applicants: students attending a Massachusetts-based CSWE-accredited MSW program.
    • Funding may come from state, federal, or other dedicated resources (including existing trust funds).
    • The executive office must track applicant and program data for evaluation of efficacy and equity.

  2. Continuing education credit for supervision

    • Adds a provision allowing licensed independent clinical social workers who provide one-on-one supervision (to licensed certified social workers, licensed social workers, MSW interns, or BSW interns) to receive up to 8 continuing education (CE) credits during a licensing period for that supervision.

  3. Evaluation requirement

    • The Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) shall (if it deems necessary) commission an independent evaluation of the impact of removing the licensing exam requirement for Licensed Certified Social Workers.
    • Evaluation topics may include workforce shortages, access to behavioral health services, workforce diversity (language, race, ethnicity, culture), and effects on care for vulnerable populations.
    • The consultant must meet relevant stakeholders (social work organizations, education providers, testing organizations, patient advocates, behavioral health advocates).
    • The evaluation and report are to be submitted to the Joint Committee on Higher Education, the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery, and the House and Senate Committees on Ways and Means no later than the year in which the evaluation was initiated.

Who is affected
- MSW students (especially those in Massachusetts CSWE-accredited programs), BSW interns, MSW/Bachelor interns and pre-licensure social workers.
- Licensed social workers and licensed independent clinical social workers (licensure pathways, supervision credits).
- Social work education programs and field placement sites (payments/grants for practicums).
- Clients and consumers of behavioral health and social work services, especially in underserved communities.
- State agencies (EOHHS) responsible for program administration, monitoring, and evaluation.
- Fiscal impact: program grants are subject to appropriation; potential costs include grant funding and resources for evaluation.

Procedural and timeline aspects
- Filed as Senate Docket No. 1765 / Senate No. 218 in the 194th General Court (filed 1/16/2025 per docket text).
- Sponsors/petitioners listed include Massachusetts state senators (e.g., Sal N. DiDomenico and several co-petitioners).
- The bill notes similar matter in the prior session (See Senate No. 160 of 2023–2024).
- Many provisions (grant program) are contingent on appropriation; the evaluation must be completed and reported within the year it is begun.
- Next legislative steps would include committee review (Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure indicated in the text), potential amendments, appropriation decisions, and votes in both chambers.

Potential impacts and considerations
- Positive effects intended: reduce barriers to licensure, expand paid field placement opportunities, improve workforce diversity and retention, and increase supervision incentives.
- Key tradeoffs: removing exam requirements may raise concerns about uniform competency benchmarks; outcomes depend on design of alternative assessment/credentialing pathways, quality assurance in practicum placements, and adequacy of funding.
- Evaluation provision aims to inform the Legislature on outcomes and equity implications before wider statutory changes are finalized or expanded.

If you want: I can (1) extract the exact statutory text changes as redline-style language, (2) prepare a short fiscal note outline, or (3) draft talking points for stakeholders (education programs, unions, consumer advocates).

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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