KUALA LUMPUR: The Social Work Profession Bill is expected to be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat only next year.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the ministry was still in the midst of gathering input from stakeholders.
"Everyone wants to be included in this process, so the discussion with the relevant agencies is still ongoing.
"We can't make (table) it this year... maybe next year," she told reporters after the launch of the National Social Policy 2030 at the World Trade Centre today.
The bill is expected to include a provision for an independent body that regulates the social work profession through the registration and certification of registered social worker practices.
The law, which was first mulled in 2010, aims at elevating social workers in the country.
Experts have called for social work to be recognised as a profession in Malaysia suggesting that the government set regulations, standards, quality control, training and the issuance of certificates.
Sociologist Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria, who is a principal research fellow at the Institute of Ethnic Studies in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, said certified social workers could conduct a proper home assessment of families in need.
This would ensure government aid reaches the target groups and social workers would be able to refer the case to different agencies or non-governmental organisations for further support through an integrated system.