Public Policy & Legislation

CAA is working on a number of different federal policy issues to advance the profession and better serve clients. Your help is needed! To find out how you can help move us forward, click on the link at left to go to the CAA Legislative Action Center on the internet. For more information on the issues we are following and CAA's advocacy efforts, e-mail the Public Policy department at publicpolicy@caa.org.

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Latest News . . .

August 24, 2005 - Senate to Finish Debate on Defense Bill; Sen. Dole Supports Full Independent Practice Authority, Sen. Warner May Try to Limit It

On Monday, July 25th, Senator Elizabeth Dole (R-NC) filed an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006 that would grant independent practice authority to LPCs participating in TRICARE.

August 11, 2005 - CAA Joins Groups in Support of Anti-bullying Legislation

Recently, CAA lobbyist Chris Campbell attended a meeting of organizations supporting the “Anti-Bullying Act of 2005,” (H.R. 284) to hear an update on the status of this legislation, and to strategize next steps regarding advocacy in support of the bill.

July 19, 2005 - Appropriations Update: Senate Panel Approves Spending Bill for Departments of Labor-HHS-ED

The Senate Appropriations Committee approved on July 15 a spending measure for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (Labor-HHS-ED)—the largest, and most contentious of the annual appropriations bills. We are pleased to report that the Senate bill would boost funding for the Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Program (ESSCP) to $36 million for fiscal year 2006.

Hot Topics and Legislative Priorities

These are the high priority federal policy issues on which CAA is working. Your help is needed! Email us at law@caa.org with the issues listed below and find out how you can help us move forward.

Counseling in Veterans Affairs Programs (8/05)

Counseling in Department of Defense Programs (8/05)

Reauthorization of the Higher Education Act (HEA) (7/05)

Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Program (ESSCP) and FY 2006 Federal Education Funding (7/05)

• CAA Letter to House Appropriations Subcommittee (3/05)
• CAA Letter to Senate Appropriations Subcommitee (3/05)
• Final Langevin-Simmons ESSCP FY 06 Letter (4/05)
• Final Murray-Durbin ESSCP FY 06 Letter (5/05)

Medicare Coverage of Licensed Professional Counselors  (7/05)

Federal Hate Crimes Legislation: LLEEA (6/05)

Social Security Fairness Act (5/05)

Substance Abuse Parity Legislation Needs Supporters (5/05)

Reauthorization of the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act (5/05)

Oppose Custody Relinquishment (4/05)

Parity of Insurance Coverage for Mental Health Treatment (3/05)

Reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and the Rehabilitation Act (3/05)

Reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)(12/04)

• NAPSO IDEA Meeting Comments on Proposed Regulations (Letter to OSERS) (9/05)
• NAPSO IDEA Meeting Comments on Proposed Regulations (7/05)
• Congressional Research Service: Analysis of Final IDEA Law (01/05)
• Federal Register Special Education (IDEA) Proposed Regulations (5/21/2005)
• Dept. of Education's IDEA Resources

108th Congress (2003-2004)