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Chapter Briefs

NASW-Virginia

NASW’s Virginia Chapter noted that in light of more than 325 anti-transgender bills before state legislatures—including 12 that failed in the Virginia General Assembly last session—NASW is further asserting that discrimination directed against any individuals on the basis of gender identity or expression is damaging to the social, emotional, psychological, physical and economic well-being of transgender and gender-diverse people and society as a whole. NASW and NASW-Virginia call on all members of the social work profession to support, promote, affirm, and protect the rights, legal benefits and privileges of people of all gender identities and expressions.

NASW-North Carolina

NASW-North Carolina held its Essentials Conference on Aging in August. The theme is “Older & Wiser: Social Work Approaches to the Modern Aging Era.”

The chapter noted that one in five North Carolinians are aged 65 and older. As North Carolina's aging population continues to rapidly grow, social workers must be prepared to effectively support the aging population, as well as learn to navigate their own aging journey and those of their families and communities.

NASW-Minnesota

When the Minnesota legislative session came to an end this year, NASW’s Minnesota Chapter announced successful passage of two of its major workforce priority bills:

Social Work Licensing Reform: This legislation expanded the provisional licensing option to anyone with a social work degree. This allows licensing candidates to choose between the traditional exam option or additional supervision in lieu of the exam. This applies to all licensing categories.

Social Work Interstate Compact: This legislation allows Minnesota to join the Social Work Interstate Licensure Compact. (For more on the compact, go to the NASW Interstate Licensure Compact page here.

NASW-Illinois

While this past Illinois legislative session was more subdued than in previous years due to economic strains and legislative apprehension with the upcoming fall election, notable advancements were made. Representing its collective, 5,000-plus membership, NASW-Illinois engaged with more than 200 bills affecting Illinois social workers and their clients across a wide range of issues. Additionally, the chapter relaunched the NASW Illinois Chapter Legislative Committee to support the chapter on important professional matters and provide insights into how prospective legislation would impact their practice or agency.