(a) In addition to the powers set forth elsewhere in this title, the Board may adopt rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this title.
(b) In addition to the duties set forth elsewhere in this title, the Board shall:
(1) Maintain a registry of all counselors or therapists currently licensed or certified by the Board and all individuals currently working as trainees in accordance with § 17–406(b) of this title;
(2) Submit an annual report to the Governor, the Secretary, and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly on or before December 31 each year;
(3) Adopt a code of ethics that the Board considers to be appropriate and applicable to the counselors or therapists currently certified or licensed by the Board and the individuals currently working as trainees in accordance with § 17–406(b) of this title;
(4) Establish continuing education requirements for the counselors or therapists currently certified or licensed by the Board;
(5) Adopt an official seal;
(6) Create committees as it deems appropriate to advise the Board on special issues; and
(7) Establish an Alcohol and Drug Counselor Subcommittee to:
(i) Evaluate and make recommendations to the Board on methods to improve and expedite the licensure and certification processes for alcohol and drug counselors and drug trainees;
(ii) Evaluate and make recommendations to the Board on methods to improve and expedite the disciplinary process for alcohol and drug counselors and drug trainees;
(iii) Assist the Board in drafting regulations related to alcohol and drug counselors and drug trainees; and
(iv) Otherwise assist the Board to fulfill the purpose stated in § 17–102(b) of this title.
(c) (1) The Board may take action against a marriage and family therapist only if:
(i) Before taking action against the marriage and family therapist, the Board discusses the proposed action with a Board member who is a licensed clinical marriage and family therapist; and
(ii) A Board member who is a licensed clinical marriage and family therapist votes, either in the affirmative or in the negative, on the proposed action.
(2) The Board may take action against an alcohol and drug counselor only if:
(i) Before taking action against the alcohol and drug counselor, the Board discusses the proposed action with a Board member who is a licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselor; and
(ii) A Board member who is a licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselor votes, either in the affirmative or in the negative, on the proposed action.
(3) The Board may take action against a clinical professional counselor only if:
(i) Before taking action against the clinical professional counselor, the Board discusses the proposed action with a Board member who is a licensed clinical professional counselor; and
(ii) A Board member who is a licensed clinical professional counselor votes, either in the affirmative or in the negative, on the proposed action.
(4) The Board shall investigate all complaints filed against licensed counselors and therapists if, at the time of the violation, the licensed counselor or therapist has also registered and qualified for psychology associate status by virtue of holding a master’s degree under Title 18 (Maryland Psychologists Act) of this article.
(5) The Board shall notify the Board of Examiners of Psychologists of the complaint in writing within 60 days of receipt of the complaint if an investigation of the supervising licensed psychologists is warranted.
(6) The Board shall initiate disciplinary action against any licensed counselor or therapist who also registers as a psychology associate and violates any portion of this statute.
(d) The Board shall establish or select examinations that the Board considers appropriate to determine the ability of an applicant to be licensed or certified by the Board.