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How do you successfully establish a new licensing and regulatory program?

Specifically, a program to establish standards for mental health professionals who treat sex offenders?

For the newly formed Sex Offender Treatment Board (SOTB), all members have agreed to participate in the challenging work of developing administrative rules -- a task usually given to a board sub-committee.

The Oregon Health Licensing Agency (OHLA), a state consumer protection agency overseeing regulation of health and related professions, provides an existing regulatory framework to facilitate the process.

"I applaud the SOTB members' commitment of time, effort and expertise," says OHLA Director Susan K. Wilson. "Their contribution highlights the invaluable role each of the 57 diverse members of our boards and councils play in providing their expertise and insight into the particulars of each profession."

The SOTB is consulting OHLA on a wide range of issues to establish standards of practice and professional responsibility, adopt training and continuing education requirements, and develop a model treatment plan.

Even with the professional expertise of SOTB members and the the licensing and regulatory experience of OHLA, there is one more component needed to develop a successful regulatory program: input from the public and stakeholders.

"We look forward to providing the opportunity for comment on the standards that we are developing," adds Wilson. "Public and stakeholder input is critical to establishing meaningful and effective regulation."

The Oregon Health Licensing Agency / Sex Offender Treatment Board filed temporary operating administrative rules on definitions, fee structure, requirements for application and certification on Friday, March 14, 2008. Those rules, effective for 180 days beginning March 15, are subject to public review before permanent rules become effective in September.

OHLA/SOTB also filed proposed rules related to supervision, continuing education, practice standards and discipline on Friday, March 14, 2008.

Links to temporary and proposed rules are below. Interested parties and the public are encouraged to provide written comment until 4:30 pm Thursday, April 24, and/or attend a public rules hearing at OHLA in Salem on Friday, April 25, at 9 am.

To provide written comment, please e-mail ohla.info@state.or.us or send to OHLA via postal mail. Please indicate in your e-mail if you would like to be placed on a mailing/distribution list for future notifications.