Subd. 1. Definitions.

For the purposes of sections 148C.01 to 148C.11 and 595.02, subdivision 1, the following terms have the meanings given them.

Subd. 1a. Accrediting association.

"Accrediting association" means an organization recognized by the commissioner that evaluates schools and education programs of alcohol and drug counseling or is listed in Nationally Recognized Accrediting Agencies and Associations, Criteria and Procedures for Listing by the U.S. Secretary of Education and Current List (1996), which is incorporated by reference.

Subd. 2. Alcohol and drug counselor.

"Alcohol and drug counselor" or "counselor" means a person who:

1. (1) uses, as a representation to the public, any title, initials, or description of services incorporating the words "alcohol and drug counselor";
2. (2) offers to render professional alcohol and drug counseling services relative to the abuse of or the dependency on alcohol or other drugs to the general public or groups, organizations, corporations, institutions, or government agencies for compensation, implying that the person is licensed and trained, experienced or expert in alcohol and drug counseling;
3. (3) holds a valid license issued under this chapter to engage in the practice of alcohol and drug counseling; or
4. (4) is an applicant for an alcohol and drug counseling license.

Subd. 2a. Alcohol and drug counselor academic course work.

"Alcohol and drug counselor academic course work" means classroom education, which is directly related to alcohol and drug counseling and meets the requirements of section 148C.04, subdivision 5a, and is taken through an accredited school or educational program.

Subd. 2b. Alcohol and drug counselor continuing education activity.

"Alcohol and drug counselor continuing education activity" means clock hours that meet the requirements of section 148C.075 and Minnesota Rules, part 4747.1100, and are obtained by a licensee at educational programs of annual conferences, lectures, panel discussions, workshops, seminars, symposiums, employer-sponsored inservices, or courses taken through accredited schools or education programs, including home study courses. A home study course need not be provided by an accredited school or education program to meet continuing education requirements.

Subd. 2c. Alcohol and drug counselor technician.

"Alcohol and drug counselor technician" means a person not licensed as an alcohol and drug counselor who is performing acts authorized under section 148C.045.

Subd. 2d. Alcohol and drug counselor training.

"Alcohol and drug counselor training" means clock hours obtained by an applicant at educational programs of annual conferences, lectures, panel discussions, workshops, seminars, symposiums, employer-sponsored inservices, or courses taken through accredited schools or education programs, including home study courses. Clock hours obtained from accredited schools or education programs must be measured under Minnesota Rules, part 4747.1100, subpart 5.

Subd. 2e. Board.

"Board" means the Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy established by section 148B.51.

Subd. 2f. Clock hour.

"Clock hour" means an instructional session of 50 consecutive minutes, excluding coffee breaks, registration, meals without a speaker, and social activities.

Subd. 2g. Credential.

"Credential" means a license, permit, certification, registration, or other evidence of qualification or authorization to engage in the practice of an occupation.

Subd. 3.

Repealed by amendment, 1995 c 164 s 3

Subd. 4. Dependency.

"Dependency" means a maladaptive pattern of substance use, leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by three or more of the following occurring at any time in the same 12-month period:

1. (a) tolerance, as defined by either of the following:

   1. (1) a need for markedly increased amounts of the substance to achieve intoxication or desired effect; or
   2. (2) a markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of the substance;

2. (b) withdrawal, as manifested by either of the following:

   1. (1) the characteristic withdrawal syndrome for the substance, as referred to in the most current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; or
   2. (2) the same or closely related substance is taken to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms;
3. (c) the substance is often taken in larger amounts or over a longer period than was intended;
4. (d) a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control substance use;
5. (e) a great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to obtain the substance, use the substance, or recover from its effects;
6. (f) important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of the substance use; or
7. (g) substance use continues despite knowledge of having had a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that was likely to have been caused or exacerbated by the substance.

Subd. 4a. Licensee.

"Licensee" means a person who holds a valid license under this chapter.

Subd. 5. Abuse.

"Abuse" means a maladaptive pattern of substance use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by one or more of the following occurring at any time during the same 12-month period:

1. (1) recurrent substance use resulting in a failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school, or home;
2. (2) recurrent substance use in situations in which it is physically hazardous;
3. (3) recurrent substance-related legal problems; and

4. (4) continued substance use despite having persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused or exacerbated by the effects of the substance.

   For substance use to be considered abuse, the individual must never have met the criteria for dependence in subdivision 4 for the class of substance in question.

Subd. 6. Commissioner.

"Commissioner" means the commissioner of health, or a designee.

Subd. 7. Accredited school or educational program.

"Accredited school or educational program" means a school of alcohol and drug counseling, university, college, or other postsecondary education program that, at the time the student completes the program, is accredited by a regional accrediting association whose standards are substantially equivalent to those of the North Central Association of Colleges and Postsecondary Education Institutions or an accrediting association that evaluates schools of alcohol and drug counseling for inclusion of the education, practicum, and core function standards in this chapter.

Subd. 8.

Repealed, 1995 c 164 s 35

Subd. 9. Core functions.

"Core functions" means the following services provided in alcohol and drug treatment:

1. (1) "Screening" means the process by which a client is determined appropriate and eligible for admission to a particular program.
2. (2) "Intake" means the administrative and initial assessment procedures for admission to a program.
3. (3) "Orientation" means describing to the client the general nature and goals of the program; rules governing client conduct and infractions that can lead to disciplinary action or discharge from the program; in a nonresidential program, the hours during which services are available; treatment costs to be borne by the client, if any; and client's rights.
4. (4) "Assessment" means those procedures by which a counselor identifies and evaluates an individual's strengths, weaknesses, problems, and needs to develop a treatment plan or make recommendations for level of care placement.
5. (5) "Treatment planning" means the process by which the counselor and the client identify and rank problems needing resolution; establish agreed upon immediate and long-term goals; and decide on a treatment process and the sources to be utilized.
6. (6) "Counseling" means the utilization of special skills to assist individuals, families, or groups in achieving objectives through exploration of a problem and its ramifications; examination of attitudes and feelings; consideration of alternative solutions; and decision making.
7. (7) "Case management" means activities which bring services, agencies, resources, or people together within a planned framework of action toward the achievement of established goals.
8. (8) "Crisis intervention" means those services which respond to an alcohol or other drug user's needs during acute emotional or physical distress.
9. (9) "Client education" means the provision of information to clients who are receiving or seeking counseling concerning alcohol and other drug abuse and the available services and resources.
10. (10) "Referral" means identifying the needs of the client which cannot be met by the counselor or agency and assisting the client to utilize the support systems and available community resources.
11. (11) "Reports and record keeping" means charting the results of the assessment and treatment plan, writing reports, progress notes, discharge summaries, and other client-related data.
12. (12) "Consultation with other professionals regarding client treatment and services" means communicating with other professionals in regard to client treatment and services to assure comprehensive, quality care for the client.

Subd. 10. Practice of alcohol and drug counseling.

"Practice of alcohol and drug counseling" means the observation, description, evaluation, interpretation, and modification of human behavior as it relates to the harmful or pathological use or abuse of alcohol or other drugs by the application of the core functions. The practice of alcohol and drug counseling includes, but is not limited to, the following activities, regardless of whether the counselor receives compensation for the activities:

1. (1) assisting clients who use alcohol or drugs, evaluating that use, and recognizing dependency if it exists;
2. (2) assisting clients with alcohol or other drug problems to gain insight and motivation aimed at resolving those problems;
3. (3) providing experienced professional guidance, assistance, and support for the client's efforts to develop and maintain a responsible functional lifestyle;
4. (4) recognizing problems outside the scope of the counselor's training, skill, or competence and referring the client to other appropriate professional services;
5. (5) assessing the level of alcohol or other drug use involvement;
6. (6) individual planning to prevent a return to harmful alcohol or chemical use;
7. (7) alcohol and other drug abuse education for clients;
8. (8) consultation with other professionals;
9. (9) gaining cultural competence through ongoing training and education according to standards established by rule; and
10. (10) providing the above services, as needed, to family members or others who are directly affected by someone using alcohol or other drugs.

Subd. 11. Sexual contact.

"Sexual contact" means contact as defined in section 148A.01 with a client or former client, or engaging in contact that may reasonably be interpreted by a client as sexual, or engaging in any verbal behavior that is seductive or sexually demeaning to the client, or engaging in sexual exploitation of a client or former client.

Subd. 11a. Student.

"Student" means a person enrolled in an alcohol and drug counselor education program at an accredited school or educational program and earning a minimum of nine semester credits per calendar year towards completion of an associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctorate degree requirements that include an additional 18 semester credits or 270 clock hours of alcohol and drug counseling specific course work and 440 clock hours of practicum.

Subd. 12. Supervised alcohol and drug counselor.

"Supervised alcohol and drug counselor" means a student, either before, during, or after the student completes a program from an accredited school or educational program of alcohol and drug counseling, an intern, or a person issued a temporary permit under section 148C.04, subdivision 4, and who is supervised by a person either licensed under this chapter or exempt under its provisions.

Subd. 12a. Supervisor.

"Supervisor" means a licensed alcohol and drug counselor licensed under this chapter or other licensed professional practicing alcohol and drug counseling under section 148C.11 who monitors activities of and accepts legal liability for the person practicing under supervision. A supervisor shall supervise no more than three trainees practicing under section 148C.04, subdivision 6.

Subd. 13. Alcohol and drug counseling practicum.

"Alcohol and drug counseling practicum" means formal experience gained by a student and supervised by a person either licensed under this chapter or exempt under its provisions, in an accredited school or educational program of alcohol and drug counseling as part of the education requirements of this chapter.

Subd. 14. Applicant.

"Applicant" means a person seeking a license under this chapter.

Subd. 15. Client.

"Client" means an individual who is the recipient of any of the alcohol and drug counseling services described in this section.

Subd. 16. Compensation.

"Compensation" means a fee, salary, reward, payment, or the expectation of payment from a client or a client's agent, insurer, employer, or other representative for providing alcohol and drug counseling services. Compensation does not include bartering for services.

Subd. 17. Alcohol and drug counselor internship.

"Alcohol and drug counselor internship" means supervised, practical, on-the-job training as an intern, volunteer, or employee in alcohol and drug counseling.

Subd. 18. Psychometrically valid and reliable.

"Psychometrically valid and reliable" means developed on the basis of role delineation, validation, reliability, passing point, and sensitivity review factors, according to generally accepted standards.

* NOTE: Subdivision 2e, as added by Laws 2003, chapter 118, *section 17, is effective July 1, 2005. Laws 2003, chapter 118, *section 17, the effective date.

* NOTE: Subdivision 6 is repealed by Laws 2003, chapter 118, *section 29, paragraph (b), as amended by Laws 2004, chapter 279, article *5, section 10, effective July 1, 2005. Laws 2003, *chapter 118, section 29, paragraph (b), the effective date, as amended *by Laws 2004, chapter 279, article 5, section 10.