New York State Level
As of the end of the current legislative session in Albany our bill to license rehabilitation counselors in New York State is still alive but once again failed to pass.  We had been making real progress until the fiscal problems of the State put many bills on hold including ours.   In addition our Senate sponsor, Thomas P. Morahan, passed away.  He was a loyal supporter and will be sorely missed.

After the November elections we will start a search for a new Senate sponsor.  Meanwhile, the good news is that  our very helpful Assembly sponsor, Michah Z. Kellner, will continue to work with us to secure passage.  The Metro Chapter of NRA recognized Mr. Kellner's numerous legislative actions in support of individuals with disabilities at the NERA conference in July (See the picture alongside this).  Dr.  Patricia Livingston, Coordinator of the New York State Rehabilitation Counseling Licensure Committee, represented the Metro Chapter in presenting the award to him.  For any questions about licensure, contact Dr. Livingston at email (p16@nyu.ed) or phone (212/998-5292). See the words of Assemblyman Kellner himself below:

Kellner Receives Award from the National Rehabilitation Association

On July 18th, I was proud to be recognized by the National Rehabilitation Association for my work on behalf of people with disabilities.  The award was presented at the Northeast Regional National Rehabilitation Association Conference, which took place on Roosevelt Island.

I am particularly proud, this year, to have passed legislation that will protect millions of New Yorkers with chronic, and life-threatening diseases from prescription drug price gouging, prohibiting insurance companies from creating so-called "specialty pricing tiers" in their prescription drug formularies. This means that patients with HIV/AIDS, cancer, kidney disease, MS, Crohn's disease, Alzheimers, and many other serious conditions will not be faced with massive increases in the cost of the medications they need.  This important bill passed the legislature in June and has now gone to the Governor for his signature.

But for all our successes, much remains to be achieved.  And one major task before us is to ensure that rehabilitation counselors are finally recognized in law as the professionals that they truly are.

There is currently nothing in the law that defines the title "Licensed Rehabilitation Counselor" or sets guidelines for the profession of rehabilitation counseling.  One of the major concerns of the Americans with Disabilities is to do with improving opportunities for productive employment for people with disabilities.  These opportunities should not be squandered through the use of vocational rehabilitation personnel with inadequate or inappropriate qualifications.

This is why I sponsor legislation to protect people with disabilities and their families from the danger that could arise when untrained individuals use the title of Rehabilitation Counselor.  I have worked closely with the National Rehabilitation Association in developing and advocating for Assembly bill A.1011, which will guarantee that those who call themselves Rehabilitation Counselors and offer vocational rehabilitation services to people with disabilities must meet minimum professional standards in order to practice under this title.

I was disappointed that this bill did not pass the Assembly this session, but I will continue to fight for its passage in the next legislature session.