New Mexico Register / Volume XXXIII,
Issue 14 / July 26, 2022
NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING
Public
Hearing
The
New Mexico Public Education Department (PED) gives notice that it will conduct
a public hearing for the proposed repeal and replace of 6.63.11 NMAC, Licensure in Rehabilitation Counseling, Grades Pre K-12, on
Tuesday, August 30, 2022, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. (MDT) in Mabry Hall, located
in the Jerry Apodaca Education Building, 300 Don Gaspar Ave., Santa Fe, New
Mexico 87501. The location of the public hearing is subject to change due to
concerns surrounding COVID-19. Continuous updates on hearing changes will be
provided on the PED website. The PED will give a verbal summary statement, on
record, at the hearing.
The
purpose of the public hearing is to receive public input on the proposed rulemaking.
Attendees who wish to provide public comment on record will be given three minutes
to make a statement concerning the proposed rulemaking. Written comment will
also be accepted at the hearing.
Explanation
of Purpose of Text
The
purpose of the proposed repeal and replace of 6.63.11 NMAC, Licensure in Rehabilitation Counseling, Grades Pre K-12, is to align the state’s requirements for individuals
seeking licensure in rehabilitation counseling with the Rehabilitation Act of
1973, as amended. The proposed rulemaking would also create a pathway for
individuals seeking such licensure to attain competency in rehabilitation
counseling under an employer’s supervision.
Summary
of Text
The
proposed repeal and replace of 6.63.11
NMAC, Licensure in Rehabilitation Counseling, Grades Pre K-12, aligns the state’s requirements for licensure
in rehabilitation counseling with Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. This federal
provision requires vocational rehabilitation personnel to attain the following
combination of education and experience:
(1) attainment of a baccalaureate degree in a field of study
reasonably related to vocational rehabilitation to prepare individuals to work
with consumers and employers, and one year of paid or unpaid experience working
with individuals with disabilities or working as an employer or other human
resources or recruitment experience; or
(2) attainment of a master’s or doctoral degree in a field of
study such as vocational rehabilitation counseling or in another field that
reasonably provides competency in the employment sector, in a disability field,
or in both business-related and rehabilitation-related fields.
In
addition, the proposed rulemaking would
allow individuals to obtain state licensure by holding a valid certificate
issued by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification.
The
proposed rulemaking would create an ancillary provider certificate. An
ancillary provider certificate is a temporary one-year, non-renewable
certificate issued to a candidate who does not yet meet the requirements for a
level 1 license in rehabilitation counseling, but who holds a baccalaureate
degree in a field of study reasonably related to vocational rehabilitation and
who is working toward a level 1 license under a one-year individualized
mentorship plan approved by the PED. An ancillary provider certificate would
allow an individual with the requisite education to gain the necessary
experience to attain competency in vocational rehabilitation counseling under an
employer’s supervision.
Statutory
Authorizations
Sections 9-24-8, 22-2-1, 22-2-2, and 22-10A-17 NMSA
1978.
No
technical information served as a basis for this proposed rule change.
Public
Comment
Interested
parties may provide comment at the public hearing or may submit written
comments by mail, e-mail, or fax.
Mailing
Address
Gregory
Frostad
Policy
and Legislative Affairs Division
New
Mexico Public Education Department
300
Don Gaspar Avenue, Room 121
Santa
Fe, New Mexico 87501
E-Mail
Address
Rule.Feedback@state.nm.us
Fax
Number
(505)
827-6520
Written
comments must be received no later than 5 p.m. (MDT) on Tuesday, August 30, 2022.
The PED encourages the early submission of written comments.
Public
Comment Period
The
public comment period is from Tuesday, July 26, 2022, to Tuesday, August 30,
2022, at 5:00 p.m. (MDT). The PED will review all feedback received during the public
comment period and issue communication regarding a final decision of the
proposed rulemaking at a later date.
Copies of the proposed rules may be obtained
from Gregory Frostad at (505) 470-5752 during regular
business hours or may be accessed through the PED Police and Legislative
Affairs webpage titled, “Proposed Rules,” at http://webnew.ped.state.nm.us/bureaus/policy-innovation-measurement/rule-notification/,
Individuals with disabilities who require the
above information in an alternative format or need any form of auxiliary aid to
attend or participate in the public hearing are asked to contact Gregory Frostad at (505) 470-5752 as soon as possible before the
date set for the public hearing. The PED requires at least 10 calendar days
advance notice to provide any special accommodations requested.