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S 2688

Relates to the operation of autonomous taxicabs in a city having a population of one million or more

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Brad Hoylman-Sigal

The bill enables New Jersey to join the Social Work Licensure Compact, allowing multistate licenses for practice (including telehealth) across member states with shared standards a

REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION
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Bill Summary · S 2688

Summary — S2688: Social Work Licensure Compact (New Jersey)

Note on source material: The provided file contains inconsistent headings (an unrelated title about autonomous taxicabs and mixed-in texts from other jurisdictions). The operative legislative text, committee reports, and fiscal note all indicate that S2688 would enact New Jersey’s participation in the Social Work Licensure Compact. This summary focuses on that compact legislation.

Main purpose

S2688 would enter New Jersey into the interstate Social Work Licensure Compact, creating a multistate licensing framework so that a licensed social worker in one member state may practice (including by telehealth) in other member states without holding separate state licenses, subject to compact requirements and public-protection safeguards.

Key provisions

  • Establishes the Social Work Licensure Compact in New Jersey’s statutes (supplementing Title 45).
  • Creates a multistate license model:
    • A “multistate license” issued by a social worker’s home state (domicile) confers a legally authorized privilege to practice in all compact member states (remote states).
    • “Single state licenses” remain for practice only in the issuing state.
  • Eligibility and standards:
    • Compact requires standards for eligibility (including qualifying national exam approval by the commission), definitions of regulated social workers (clinical, master’s, bachelor’s levels), and provisions for military families and mobility.
  • Regulatory cooperation and enforcement:
    • Member-state licensing authorities retain power to protect public health and safety.
    • The compact enables sharing of licensure, disciplinary, and investigative information (including “current significant investigative information” and “disqualifying events”).
    • Procedures for adverse actions, alternative (non-disciplinary) monitoring programs, and requirements to hold practitioners accountable to the law of the state where the client is located.
  • Compact governance:
    • Establishes the Social Work Licensure Compact Commission and an Executive Committee with rulemaking authority, a data system for licensee information, and processes for member withdrawal and dispute resolution.
  • Telehealth:
    • Explicitly authorizes telehealth practice across member states under the multistate authorization.

Who is affected

  • Regulated social workers (clinical, master’s, bachelor’s) seeking to practice across state lines.
  • New Jersey State Board of Social Work Examiners (licensing/oversight responsibilities).
  • Consumers who receive social work services (increased access, especially via telehealth).
  • Member-state licensing authorities and the compact commission.

Fiscal and operational impact

  • Office of Legislative Services (OLS) estimate (Nov 18, 2024): annual State expenditures will increase and State revenues may decrease by indeterminate amounts.
    • Potential costs: ongoing Board operating costs to regulate additional out‑of‑state practitioners granted privileges; potential one‑time IT/data system changes to meet compact data requirements; possible annual member fees levied by the commission.
    • Potential revenue effect: fewer out‑of‑state practitioners may seek New Jersey licenses, reducing licensing fee revenue; however the scale is uncertain. Current initial/renewal license fees are roughly $120–$160; the Board may adjust fees as it is required to fund operations from fee collections.
    • Context: Board regulated ~25,576 social workers in FY2023 (FY2024 estimate ~24,500).

Procedural status and related bills

  • Reported favorably by Senate Commerce Committee (Oct 10, 2024) and by Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee (Mar 17, 2025). Identical to Assembly Bill A2813 (companion).
  • Status in provided record: “REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION” (record dates vary). S2688 has related/companion measures (A2813, HR5093, others).

If enacted, New Jersey’s participation would facilitate interstate practice and telehealth by social workers while creating new information‑sharing and oversight obligations for the State Board and requiring coordination through the compact commission.

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

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