Sec. 1. 32 MRSA §7001-A, sub-§8, as amended by PL 2001, c. 316, §1, is further amended to read:

8. Licensed social worker. A "licensed social worker" is a person who has received a license as a licensed social worker from the board. In accordance with the provisions of section 7053, subsection 3-A, "licensed social worker" includes a person who has received a conditional license as a licensed social worker.

Sec. 2. 32 MRSA §7053, sub-§3, as amended by PL 2001, c. 542, §1, is further amended to read:

3. Requirements to be a licensed social worker. On or before September 30, 2003, the board may issue a license to an applicant who meets at least one of the requirements set out in this subsection To be qualified to be licensed as a social worker an applicant must meet one of the following requirements:

A. The applicant must have received a bachelor's degree in social work or social welfare from an accredited educational institution; demonstrated to the satisfaction of the board adherence to the ethics of the social worker profession; and successfully completed the examination prescribed by the board; or

B. The applicant must have received a bachelor's degree in a related field from an institution that, at the time the degree was received, did not have a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education but subsequently offered such a program; demonstrated to the satisfaction of the board adherence to the ethics of the social worker profession; and successfully completed the examination prescribed by the board.

The board shall issue rules, in accordance with the Maine Administrative Procedure Act, Title 5, chapter 375, by which an individual who has a bachelor's degree that does not qualify under paragraph A or B may be eligible for a license.

The board may not issue a licensed social worker conditional license under this subsection after September 30, 2003. Individuals who have met the requirements of this subsection and have a licensed social worker conditional license issued prior to September 30, 2003, may continue to work towards full licensure as a licensed social worker under this subsection.