Legislative Update — Ariel Cohen, MA, LMFT

CAMFT Facebook Page Legislative Updates
September and October 2019

9/20/19

Legislative Alert: Governor Newsom signed AB 5 on Wednesday.

This bill codifies the decision in the Dynamex case and creates a presumption that workers who perform services for a hiring entity are “employees” unless they meet certain criteria, or have an exemption, to qualify as “independent contractors.” With the exception of licensed psychologists, all other mental health professionals including LMFTs, LCSWs, and LPCCs are not exempted. This means that MFTs in many cases will lose our ability to work as independent contractors.

To continue our advocacy efforts on this issue, CAMFT is already working with other stakeholders on next steps. We are also assessing the bill’s impact on LMFTs who contract with private practices and/or agencies and will disseminate information to our membership in the near future.

9/19/19

Thank You Congressmember Karen Bass, Congresswoman Doris O. Matsui and Congressman Adam Schiff for supporting MFTs, advocating for improved mental health access, and co-sponsoring the Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2019 (HR 945)!! On behalf of our 32,000 members in California — we appreciate you!! #mft #lmft#mentalhealthmatters

9/9/19

URGENT ACTION NEEDED — AB 5 HAS GONE FROM BAD TO TERRIBLE!

Please join CAMFT and our health care partners to urge the California Legislature to VOTE “NO” on Assembly Bill 5 (Gonzalez) so that marriage and family therapists have a choice to work as Independent Contractors.

Click here http://bit.ly/2kDq6gH, enter your HOME ADDRESS in the form, and click on the “Submit” button to go to a prepared email template. Thank you!

9/9/19

CAMFT continues to support an amendment to the controversial Dynamex bill. The amendment would exempt therapists, social workers, nurse anesthetists and optometrists from losing their ability to work as independent contractors. Capital Public Radio in Sacramento published a story recently discussing this complex issue and the differing opinions of many mental health professionals. http://bit.ly/2ZNfFdb #mft #lmft

8/20/19

CAMFT is lobbying in Sacramento with #healthcare coalition advocating for exemption on #AB5.

Please join CAMFT and our health care partners to urge the California Legislature to amend Assembly Bill 5 (Gonzalez) and allow MFTs to continue to work as Independent Contractors. AB 5 must be amended to eliminate provisions that exclude health care professionals from the right to choose an independent contractor relationship.

Click here to lend your voice: https://tinyurl.com/y4ay7qva
#advocacy

8/16/19

CAMFT released a public statement yesterday to caution against the blaming of mental illness for mass shootings and gun violence. “Mental health issues are common everywhere in the world, and yet the number of violent deaths by shooting are far less common in the majority of other developed countries,” says CAMFT Executive Director Nabil El-Ghoroury, PhD, CAE. “We applaud leaders who call for increased funding for mental health services, but we reiterate that focusing solely on mental health as the root cause of mass shootings is misguided.” Click here for the full release: http://bit.ly/2Z97t6s

Ariel Cohen, MA, LMFT, maintains a full-time practice at Teen Therapy Center in Woodland Hills, CA. He works with children, teens, and families, with an emphasis on supporting the special needs community. He can be contacted at 818.674.9834 or ariel@teentherapycenter.com.