SB 6232 — Mental health counselors

Summary

Creating the Washington state board of licensed mental health counselors.

Bill Text

Compared against the Revised Code of Washington as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

This bill amends 24 section(s) of the Revised Code of Washington: RCW 18.225.010; RCW 18.225.020; RCW 18.225.030; RCW 18.225.060; RCW 18.225.090; RCW 18.225.130.

• RCW 18.225.010

  a licensed mental health counselor, mental health counselors, , "Mental health counseling" means the application of principles of human development, learning theory, psychotherapy, group dynamics, and etiology of mental illness and dysfunctional behavior to individuals, couples, families, groups, and organizations, for the purpose of treatment of mental disorders and p. 10 SB 6232 promoting optimal mental health and functionality. Mental health counseling also includes, but is not limited to, the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental and emotional disorders, as well as the application of a wellness model of mental health. (10) → (2) "Applicant" means a person who completes the required application, pays the required fee, is at least eighteen years of age, and meets any background check requirements and uniform disciplinary act requirements. (3) "Associate" means a prelicensure candidate who has a graduate degree in a mental health field under RCW 18.225.090 and is gaining the supervision and supervised experience necessary to become a licensed independent clinical social worker, a licensed advanced social worker, or a licensed marriage and family therapist. (4) "Committee" means the Washington state marriage and family therapists and social workers advisory committee. (5) "Department" means the department of health. (6) "Disciplining authority" means the department. (7) "Independent clinical social work" means the diagnosis and treatment of emotional and mental disorders based on knowledge of human development, the causation and treatment of psychopathology, psychotherapeutic treatment practices, and social work practice as defined in advanced social work. Treatment modalities include but are not limited to diagnosis and treatment of individuals, couples, families, groups, or organizations. (8) "Marriage and family therapy" means the diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders, whether cognitive, affective, or behavioral, within the context of relationships, including marriage and family systems. Marriage and family therapy involves the professional application of psychotherapeutic and family systems theories and techniques in the delivery of services to individuals, couples, and families for the purpose of treating such diagnosed nervous and mental disorders. The practice of marriage and family therapy means the rendering of professional marriage and family therapy services to individuals, couples, and families, singly or in groups, whether such services are offered directly to the general public or through organizations, either public or private, for a fee, monetary or otherwise. (9) "Secretary" means the secretar health or the secretary's designee.

  amended

• RCW 18.225.020

  a licensed mental health counselor, a licensed mental health counselor associate, → each amended to read as follows: A person must not represent himself or as a licensed advanced social worker, a licensed indepe linical social worker, a li⟦INS⟧censed marriage — and family therapist, a licensed so te advanced, a — licensed social work associate ind , or a license⟦INS⟧d marriage and family ther the department.

  amended

• RCW 18.225.030

  , mental health counseling, , mental health counseling, , mental health counseling, , mental health counseling, → each amended to read as fol Nothing o prohibit or restrict: (1) The rwise regulated under this uthorized scope of practice (2) The ployed by the government n while engaged in the per of the United States or s (3) The ular student in an educati standards and approved b of services is pursuant to gnments from an instructor structor; (4) The

  amended

• RCW 18.225.060

  mental health counselors, , nine Two members must be licensed mental health counselors; (b) Two (c) One member must be a licensed independent clinical social worker; (d) One member must be either a licensed advanced social worker or a licensed independent clinical social worker; and (e) Three members must be consumers s)). (2) Three members shall be appointed for a term of one year, three members shall be appointed for a term of two years, and three members shall be appointed for a term of three years. Subsequent members shall be appointed for terms of three years. A person must not serve as a member for more than two consecutive terms. (3)(a) Each member must be a resident of the state of Washington. (b) Each member must not hold a governing office or board position in a professional association for ((mental health, , mental health counselor, , → read as follows: The Washington state marriage and family therapists and social workers advisory committee is established. (1) The committee shall be comprised of seven members as follows: (a) Three members must be licensed marriage and family therapists; (b) Three members must be licensed independent clinical social workers or licensed independent clinical social workers; and (c) One member must be a consumer epresent the u l rge and may not be a lice care provider social wo⟦INS⟧rk or marriage and y e state of Washington. (c) Each professional m d e members ll be compensated in accordance with R uding tra expenses in carrying out his or h s in accor ce with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060. ittee shal lect a chair and vice chair.

  amended

• RCW 18.225.090

  Licensed mental health counselor: (i)(A) Graduation from a master's or doctoral level educational program in counseling that consists of at least 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours, or includes at least 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of graduate coursework that includes the following topic areas: (I) Mental health counseling orientation and ethical practice; (II) Social and cultural diversity; (III) Human growth and development; (IV) Career development; (V) Counseling and helping relationships; (VI) Group counseling and group work; (VII) Diagnosis and treatment; (VIII) Assessment and testing; and (IX) Research and program evaluation; or (B) Graduation from a master's or doctoral level educational program in a related discipline from a college or university approved by the secretary based upon nationally recognized standards. An applicant who satisfies the educational requirements for licensure under this subsection (1)(b)(i)(B) is not qualified to exercise the privilege to practice under the counseling compact established in chapter 18.17 RCW unless the master's or doctoral level educational program in a related discipline consists of at least 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours, or includes at least 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of graduate coursework that includes the topic areas specified in (b)(i)(A)(I) through (IX) of this subsection; (ii) Successful completion of an approved examination; (iii) Successful completion of a supervised experience requirement. The experience requirement consists of a minimum of 36 months full-time counseling or 3,000 hours of postgraduate mental health counseling under the supervision of a qualified licensed mental health counselor or equally qualified licensed mental health practitioner, in an approved setting. The 3,000 hours of required p. 15 SB 6232 experience includes a minimum of 100 hours spent in immediate supervision with the qualified licensed mental health counselor, and includes a minimum of 1,200 hours of direct counseling with individuals, couples, families, or groups; and (iv) Successful completion of continuing education requirements established in rule by the secretary in consultation with the committee, including a minimum number of hours in professional ethics. (c) → (3) At least 60 hours must be in one-to-one supervision and the remaining hours may be in one-to-one supervision or group supervision; and (D) Successful completion of continuing education requirements established in rule by the secretary in consultation with the committee, including a minimum number of hours in professional ethics. (b) Licensed marriage and family therapist: (i) Graduation from a master's degree or doctoral degree educational program in marriage and family therapy or graduation from an educational program in an allied field equivalent to a master's degree or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy approved by the secretary based upon nationally recognized standards; (ii) Successful passage of an approved examination; (iii) Successful completion of a supervised experience requirement. The experience requirement consists of a minimum of 3,000 hours of marriage and family therapy. Of the total supervision, 100 hours must be with a licensed marriage and family therapist with at least two years' clinical experience; the other 100 hours may be with an equally qualified licensed mental health practitioner. Total experience requirements include: (A) 1,000 hours of direct client contact; at least 500 hours must be gained in diagnosing and treating couples and families; plus (B) At least 200 hours of qualified supervision with a supervisor. At least 100 of the 200 hours must be one-on-one supervision, and the remaining hours may be in one-on-one or group supervision. Applicants who have completed a master's program accredited by the commission on accreditation for marriage and family therapy education of the American association for marriage and family therapy may be credited with 500 hours of direct client contact and 100 hours of formal meetings with an approved supervisor; and (iv) Successful completion of continuing education requirements established in rule by the secretary in consultation with the committee, including a minimum number of hours in professional ethics. (2) The department shall establish by rule what constitutes adequate proof of meeting the criteria. Only rules in effect on the date of submission of a completed application of an associate for her p. 16 SB 6232 or⟦INS⟧ his license shall apply. If the rules change after a comp plication is submitted but before a license is issued, th les shall not be reason to deny the application. (3) In addition, applicants shall be subject to the ground nial of a license or issuance of a conditional license apter 18.130 RCW.

  amended

• RCW 18.225.130

  , or a mental health counselor → ad as follows: Any person certified under chapter 18.19 RCW who has me plicable experience and education requirements under chapter W prior to July 22, 2001, is eligible for a license as an adv cial worker, an independent clinical social worker, or a mar d family therapist under apter without taking the exa .

  amended

• RCW 18.225.140

  a mental health counselor, a mental health counselor, mental health counselors, mental health counselors, → c 425 s 4 are each amend ad as follows: (1) An applicant holding ntial in another state m censed to practice in th without examination if cretary determines that th state's credentialing stan e substantially equivalent licensing standards in ate. (2)(a)(i) The department stablish a reciprocity pr r applicants for licensur advanced social worker dependent clinical social w marriage and family therapis (ii) The reciprocity prog an advanced social worker, The department must determine what deficiencies, if any, exist between the education and experience requirements of the other state's credential and, after consideration of the experience and capabilities of the applicant, determine whether it is appropriate to require the applicant to complete additional education or experience requirements to maintain the probationary license and, within a reasonable time period, transition to a full license. The department may place a reasonable time limit on a probationary license and may, if appropriate, require the applicant to pass a jurisprudential examination. (c) The department must maintain and publish a list of credentials in other states and territories that the department has determined to have a scope of practice that is substantially equivalent to or greater than the scope of practice for licensed advanced social workers, independent clinical social workers, or marriage and family therapists as established under this chapter. The department shall prioritize identifying and publishing the department's determination for the five states or territories that have historically had the most applicants for reciprocity under subsection (1) of this section with a scope of practice that is substantially equivalent to or greater than the scope of practice for licensed advanced social workers, independent clinical social workers, and marriage and family therapists under this chapter.

  amended

• RCW 18.225.145

  Licensed mental health counselor associate: Graduation from a master's degree or doctoral degree educational program in mental health counseling or a related discipline from a college or p. 18 SB 6232 university approved by the secretary based upon nationally recognized standards. (c) , mental health counseling, → read as follows: (1) The secretary shall issue an associate license to any applicant who demonstrates to the satisfaction of the secretary that the applicant meets the following requirements for the applicant's practice area and submits a declaration that the applicant is working toward full licensure in that category: — (a) Licensed social worker associate advanced or licensed social — worker associate independent clinical: Graduation from a master's degree or doctoral degree educational program in social work accredited by the council on social work education and approved by the secretary based upon nationally recognized standards. (b) License sociate: Graduation from a cational program in marria from an educational progra master's degree or doctoral roved by the secretary based (2) Associates ry shall allow such a per to active status pursuant or returning an expired cr

  amended

• RCW 18.225.170

  mental health counselors, → follows: secretary of the departm g to issuance of a retired

  amended

• RCW 5.60.060

  A mental health counselor, , 18.225 RCW mental health counselor, , → employed by, or under the direct supervision of, a law enforcement agency, a prosecutor's office, or the child protective services section of the department of children, youth, and families as defined in RCW 26.44.020. (b) A domestic violence advocate may disclose a confidential communication without the consent of the victim if failure to disclose is likely to result in a clear, imminent risk of serious physical injury or death of the victim or another person. This section does not relieve a domestic violence advocate from the requirement to report or cause to be reported an incident under RCW 26.44.030(1) or to disclose relevant records relating to a child as required by RCW 26.44.030(15). Any domestic violence advocate participating in good faith in the disclosing of communications under this subsection is immune from liability, civil, criminal, or otherwise, that might result from the action. In any proceeding, civil or criminal, arising out of a disclosure under this subsection, the good faith of the domestic violence advocate who disclosed the confidential communication shall be presumed. (9) An independent clinical social worker or marriage and family therapist licensed under chapter 18.225 RCW or a mental health counselor licensed under chapter 18.--- disclose, or be compelled to testify about, any information acquired from persons consulting the individual in a professional capacity when the information was necessary to enable the individual to render professional services to those persons except: (a) With the written authorization of that person or, in the case of death or disability, the person's personal representative; (b) If the person waives the privilege by bringing charges against the mental health counselor licensed under chapter 18.--- RCW (the new chapter created in section 44 of this act); (c) In response to a subpoena from the secretary of health. The secretary may subpoena only records related to a complaint or report under RCW 18.130.050; (d) As required under chapter 26.44 or 74.34 RCW or RCW 71.05.217 (6) or (7); or (e) To any individual if the independent clinical social worker or marriage and family therapist licensed under chapter 18.225 RCW or a mental health counselor licensed under chapter 18.--- RCW (the new chapter created in section 44 of this act)

  amended

• RCW 13.40.162

  or RCW → (b) The parents or legal guardians of the offender are responsible for transportation or other costs associated with the offender's change of school that would otherwise be paid by the school district. (c) The court shall send notice of the disposition and restriction on attending the same school as the victim or victim's siblings to the public or approved private school the juvenile will attend, if known, or if unknown, to the approved private schools and the public school district board of directors of the district in which the juvenile resides or intends to reside. This notice must be sent at the earliest possible date but not later than 10 calendar days after entry of the disposition. (7)(a) The sex offender treatment provider shall submit quarterly reports on the respondent's progress in treatment to the court and the parties. The reports shall reference the treatment plan and include at a minimum the following: Dates of attendance, respondent's compliance with requirements, treatment activities, the respondent's relative progress in treatment, and any other material specified by the court at the time of the disposition. (b) At the time of the disposition, the court may set treatment review hearings as the court considers appropriate. (c) Except as provided in this subsection, examinations and treatment ordered pursuant to this subsection shall be conducted by qualified professionals as described under (d) of this subsection, certified sex offender treatment providers, or certified affiliate sex offender treatment providers under chapter 18.155 RCW. (d) A sex offender therapist who examines or treats a juvenile sex offender pursuant to this subsection does not have to be certified by the department of health pursuant to chapter 18.155 RCW if the therapist is a professional licensed under chapter 18.225 , 18.83 , or 18.--- RCW (the new chapter created in section 44 of this act)

  amended

• RCW 18.100.050

  and RCW Title 18 RCW → render their individual professional services through one professional service corporation. (3) Licensed health care professionals, providing services to enrolled participants either directly or through arrangements with a health maintenance organization registered under chapter 48.46 RCW or federally qualified health maintenance organization, may own stock in and render their individual professional services through one professional service corporation. (4) Professionals may organize a nonprofit nonstock corporation under this chapter and chapter 24.03A RCW to provide professional services, and the provisions of this chapter relating to stock and referring to Title 23B RCW shall not apply to any such corporation. (5)(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, health care professionals who are licensed or certified pursuant to chapters 18.06, 18.225, 18.22, 18.25, 18.29, 18.34, 18.35, 18.36A, 18.50, 18.53, 18.55, 18.57, 18.59, 18.64, 18.71, 18.71A, 18.74, 18.79, 18.83, 18.89, 18.108, 18.138 , and 18.--- RCW (the new chapter created in section 44 of this act) may o professiona ervices t n and are t e consider nal service oration, a al services r "same p ional servic orporation t the appli ion of t 18.130 RCW, applicable this title

  amended

• RCW 18.120.020

  mental health counselors, , and → (2) "Ce a ary process by which a s s nition to an individual q qualifications specified b assume or use "certified" f scribed health professiona (3) "G s a regulatory statute app g the regulated health pro a he regulatory statute whi e e prerequisite qualificati e to perform prescribed (4) "He s llowing health and health- s d occupations: Podiatric m 8 ; chiropractic under chap e er 18.29 RCW; dentistry u n ter 18.30 RCW; dental ane 8 CW; dispensing opticians u t under chapter 18.35 RCW; A embalming and funeral dir i under chapter 18.50 RCW; r er 18.52 RCW; optometry R larists under chapter 18 under chapter 18.57 RCW; under chapt under chapter 18.73 RCW; 4 actical nurses under chap r er 18.83 RCW; registered c nal therapists licensed u r practitioners licensed u a nd veterinary technicians h under chapter 18.108 RCW tern medicine practitione C ons registered under chap assistants-certified, medical assistants-hemodialysis technician, medical assistants-phlebotomist, forensic phlebotomist, medical assistant-EMT, and medical assistants-registered certified and registered under chapter 18.360 RCW; licensed behavior analysts, licensed assistant behavior analysts, and certified behavior technicians under chapter 18.380 RCW; music therapists licensed under chapter 18.233 RCW; dental therapists licensed under chapter 18.265 18.71D RCW; and persons licensed as mental health counselors under chapter 18.--- RCW (the new chapter created in section 44 of this act)

  amended

• RCW 18.130.040

  mental health counselors, mental health counselor associates,)) marriage and family therapists, marriage and —3 family therapist associates, social workers, social work associates —4 advanced, and social work associates independent clinical under chapter 18.225 RCW; (xi) Persons registered as nursing pool operators under chapter 18.52C RCW; (xii) Dietitians and nutritionists certified under chapter 18.138 RCW; (xiii) Substance use disorder professionals, substance use disorder professional trainees, or co-occurring disorder specialists certified under chapter 18.205 RCW; (xiv) Sex offender treatment providers and certified affiliate sex offender treatment providers certified under chapter 18.155 RCW; (xv) Persons licensed and certified under chapter 18.73 RCW or RCW 18.71.205; (xvi) Orthotists and prosthetists licensed under chapter 18.200 RCW; (xvii) Surgical technologists registered under chapter 18.215 RCW; (xviii) Recreational therapists under chapter 18.230 RCW; (xix) Animal massage therapists certified under chapter 18.240 RCW; (xx) Athletic trainers licensed under chapter 18.250 RCW; (xxi) Home care aides certified under chapter 18.88B RCW; (xxii) Genetic counselors licensed under chapter 18.290 RCW; (xxiii) Reflexologists certified under chapter 18.108 RCW; (xxiv) Medical assistants-certified, medical assistants- hemodialysis technician, medical assistants-phlebotomist, forensic phlebotomist, medical assistant-EMT, and medical assistants- registered certified and registered under chapter 18.360 RCW; (xxv) Behavior analysts, assistant behavior analysts, and behavior technicians under chapter 18.380 RCW; (xxvi) Birth doulas certified under chapter 18.47 RCW; (xxvii) Music therapists licensed under chapter 18.233 RCW; (xxviii) Behavioral health support specialists certified under chapter 18.227 RCW; ((and and → (x) Persons licen ed d ce ; and (xxx) Mental health counselors or mental health counselor associates under chapter 18.--- RCW (the new chapter created in section 44 of this act) (xiv) The veterinary board of governors as established in chapter 18.92 RCW; (xv) The board of naturopathy established in chapter 18.36A RCW, governing licenses and certifications issued under that chapter; (xvi) The board of denturists established in chapter 18.30 RCW; and (xvii) The board of licensed mental health counselors established in chapter 18.--- RCW (the new chapter created in section 44 of this act) In addition ne licen ciplining au to gran . The discipl t a lice tions, which pter 18. All disciplin rocedure ially consis apter, t nary act, a orities on (2) of thi

  amended

• RCW 18.205.105

  18.225 RCW mental health counselors, , 18.225 RCW → rea s follows: ) The department shall develop training standards for the cre on of a co-occurring disorder specialist enhancement which may be ed to the license or registration held by one of the following: ) Psychologists licensed under chapter 18.83 RCW; ) Independent clinical social workers licensed under chapter 18. ) Marriage and family therapists licensed under chapter 18.225 ) Mental health counselors licensed under chapter ⟦INS⟧18.--- RCW (the new chapter created in section 44 of this act) s evention; and confidentiali s r treatment. g ndards, the department sha f hology established in chapt e sorder pro sionals under this chapter, subject to the following mitations: (a) A co curring disorder specialist may only provide substance e disorde counseling services if the co-occurring disorder ecialist i ployed by: (i) An a y that provides counseling services; (ii) A f ally qualified health center; or (iii) A ital; (b) Foll ng an initial intake or assessment, a co-occurring sorder spe list may provide substance use disorder treatment only clients gnosed with a substance use disorder and a mental alth disor (c) Prio to providing substance use disorder treatment to a ient asse to be in need of 2.1 or higher level of care cording to erican society of addiction medicine criteria, a co- curring di der specialist must make a reasonable effort to refer d connect client to the appropriate care setting, as indicated the clien American society of addiction medicine level of care; d (d) A c ccurring disorder specialist must comply with rules omulgated he department under subsection (11) of this section. (8) The cretary shall establish by rule what constitutes equate pro f meeting the criteria. (9) App nts are subject to the grounds for denial of a rtificate issuance of a conditional certificate under chapter .130 RCW. (10) Th epartment may adopt a fee to defray the cost of gulatory ivities related to the issuance of co-occurring sorder sp alist enhancements and any related disciplinary tivities. (11) The partment shall adopt rules regarding the role of co- curring d rder specialists across the American society of diction me ne continuum of care. (12) An ncrease in fees necessary to cover the cost of gulating occurring disorder specialists who receive an hancement er this section must be borne by persons licensed as ychologist nder chapter 18.83 RCW, independent clinical social rkers unde chapter 18.225 RCW, marriage and family therapists der chapte 8.225 RCW, or mental health counselors under chapter 18.--- RCW (the new chapter created in section 44 of this act). The cost of regulating co-occurring disorder specialists who receive an enhancement under this section may not be borne by substance use disorder professionals or substance use disorder professional trainees certified under this chapter and may not be included in the calculation of fees for substance use disorder professionals or substance use disorder professional trainees certified under this chapter.

  amended

• RCW 19.410.010

  , , or mental health counselor or → read as follows: (1) Subject to amounts appropriated for this purpose, the psilocybin therapy services pilot program is established within, and administered by, the University of Washington department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences. No later than January 1, 2025, the University of Washington department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences must implement this section. (2) The pilot program must: (a) Offer psilocybin therapy services through pathways approved by the federal food and drug administration, to populations including first responders and veterans who are: (i) 21 years of age or older; and (ii) Experiencing posttraumatic stress disorder, mood disorders, or substance use disorders; (b) Offer psilocybin therapy services facilitated by: (i) An advanced social worker or independent clinical social worker licensed under chapter 18.225 (ii) A physician licensed under chapter 18.71 RCW; (iii) A psychiatric advanced practice registered nurse licensed under chapter 18.79 RCW as defined in RCW 71.05.020; or (iv) A mental health counselor licensed under chapter 18.--- RCW (the new chapter created in section 44 of this act) (e) Use outreach and engagement strategies to include participants from communities or demographic groups that are more likely to be istorically marginalized and less likely to be included in research nd clinical trials represented by race, sex, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, age, or geographic location.

  amended

• RCW 25.05.510

  and RCW → read as follows: (1) A person or group of persons licensed or otherwise legally authorized to render professional services, as defined in RCW 18.100.030, w thin this state may organize and become a member or members of a limited liability partnership under the provisions of this chapter for the purposes of rendering professional service. Nothing in this section prohibits a person duly licensed or otherwise legally authorized to render professional services in any jurisdiction other than this state from becoming a member of a limited liability partnership organized for the purpose of rendering the same professional services. Nothing in this section prohibits a limited liability partnership from rendering professional services outside this tate through individuals who are not duly licensed or otherwise legally authorized to render such professional services within this state. (2)(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, health care professionals who are licensed or certified pursuant to chapters 18.0 , 18.225, 18.22, 18.25, 18.29, 18.34, 18.35, 18.36A, 18.50, 18.53, 18.55, 18.64, 18.79, 18.83, 18.89, 18.108, 18.138 , and 18.--- RCW (the new chapter created in section 44 of this act)

  amended

• RCW 43.70.110

  18.225 RCW → (c) For physicians licensed under chapter 18.71 RCW, physician assistants licensed under chapter 18.71A RCW, osteopathic physicians licensed under chapter 18.57 RCW, naturopaths licensed under chapter 18.36A RCW, podiatrists licensed under chapter 18.22 RCW, chiropractors licensed under chapter 18.25 RCW, psychologists and psychological associates licensed under chapter 18.83 RCW, registered nurses and licensed practical nurses licensed under chapter 18.79 of Washington under chapter 18.80 RCW, optometrists licensed under chapter 18.53 RCW, mental health counselors and mental health counselor associates licensed under chapter 18.--- RCW (the new chapter created in section 44 of this act)

  amended

• RCW 43.70.442

  18.225 RCW → ii) A marriage and family therapist licensed under chapter 18. v) A mental health counselor licensed under chapter ⟦INS⟧18.--- RCW (the new chapter created in section 44 of this act) 1) A state or local government employee is exempt from the req ements of this section if he or she receives a total of at lea six hours of training in suicide assessment, treatment, and man ment from his or her employer every six years. For purposes of thi ubsection, the training may be provided in one six-hour block or be spread among shorter training sessions at the employer's dis tion. 2) An employee of a community mental health agency licensed und chapter 71.24 RCW or a chemical dependency program certified und chapter 71.24 RCW is exempt from the requirements of this sec n if he or she receives a total of at least six hours of tra ng in suicide assessment, treatment, and management from his or her ployer every six years. For purposes of this subsection, the tra ng may be provided in one six-hour block or may be spread among sho r training sessions at the employer's discretion.

  amended

• RCW 43.70.903

  18.225 RCW RCW RCW → rea s follows: ) The department, in consultation with the workforce training and ducation coordinating board and the examining board of psy logy, shall examine licensure requirements for the following pro sions to identify changes to statutes and rules that would rem barriers to entering and remaining in the health care wor rce and to streamline and shorten the credentialing process: ) Advanced social workers and independent clinical social wor s licensed under chapter 18.225 RCW; ) Marriage and family therapists licensed under chapter 18.225 ) Mental health counselors licensed under chapter ⟦INS⟧18.--- RCW (the new chapter created in section 44 of this act) (3) When conducting the review required in subsection (1) of this section, the department shall at a minimum consider the following: (a) The availability of peer-reviewed research and other evidence, including requirements in other states, indicating the necessity of specific licensure requirements for ensuring that behavioral health professionals are prepared to practice with reasonable skill and safety; (b) Changes that would facilitate licensure of qualified, out-of- state and international applicants to promote reciprocity, including the adoption of applicable interstate compacts; (c) Changes that would promote greater consistency across licensure requirements for professions licensed under chapters 18.225 and 18.--- RCW (the new chapter created in section 44 of this act) and allow for applicants' prior professional ex erience within relevant fields to be counted towards supervi ed experience requirements established under chapters 18.225 and 18.--- RCW (the new chapter created in section 44 of this act)

  amended

• RCW 48.43.087

  and mental health counselors, , → read as follows: (1) For purposes of this section: (a) "Health carrier" includes disability insurers regulated under chapter 48.20 or 48.21 RCW, health care services contractors regulated under chapter 48.44 RCW, plans operating under the health care authority under chapter 41.05 RCW, the basic health plan operating under chapter 70.47 RCW, the state health insurance pool operating under chapter 48.41 RCW, insuring entities regulated under this chapter, and health maintenance organizations regulated under chapter 48.46 RCW. (b) "Intermediary" means a person duly authorized to negotiate and execute provider contracts with health carriers on behalf of mental health care practitioners. (c) Consistent with their lawful scopes of practice, "mental health care practitioners" includes only the following: Any generally recognized medical specialty of practitioners licensed under chapter 18.57 or 18.71 RCW who provide mental health services, advanced practice psychiatric nurses as authorized by the state board of nursing under chapter 18.79 RCW, psychologists licensed under chapter 18.83 RCW, marriage and family therapists and social workers licensed under chapter 18.225 RCW, and mental health counselors licensed under chapter 18.--- RCW (the new chapter created in section 44 of this act) the enrollee is responsible for payment of these services, unless the health carrier elects to pay for services provided. (4) This section does not apply to a mental health care practitioner who is employed full time on the staff of a health carrier.

  amended

• RCW 49.44.220

  (ii) [(iii)] or → read as follows: (1)(a) It is unlawful for an employer to obtain individually identifiable information regarding an employee's participation in an employee assistance program. Individually identifiable information gathered in the process of conducting an employee assistance program must be kept confidential. (b) Subsection (1)(a) of this section does not apply to: (i) Authorized disclosures under RCW 41.04.730; (ii) Disclosures to an employer regarding an employee's attendance in an employee assistance program, which the employee was required to attend as a condition of continued employment; and (iii) Disclosures that are: (A) Made to prevent or lessen a perceived threat to the health or safety of an individual or the public; or (B) Permitted or required under RCW 18.225.105, 70.02.050, 71.05.120, or section 9 of this act. (2) An employee's participation or nonparticipation in an employee assistance program must not be a factor in a decision affecting an employee's job security, promotional opportunities, corrective or disciplinary action, or other employment rights.

  amended

• RCW 70.02.180

  Mental health counselors, marriage , → read as follows: Marriage and family therapists and social workers licensed under chapter 18.225 RCW and mental health counselors licensed under chapter 18.--- RCW (the new chapter created in section 44 of this act)

  amended

• RCW 71.24.025

  or RCW → servi s. This does not include funds appropriated for the purpose of opera ng and administering the state psychiatric hospitals. ( "Behavioral health administrative services organization" means an entity contracted with the authority to administer behav ral health services and programs under RCW 71.24.381, inclu ng crisis services and administration of chapter 71.05 RCW, the voluntary treatment act, for all individuals in a defined regio l service area. ( "Behavioral health aide" means a counselor, health educator, and vocate who helps address individual and community-based behav ral health needs, including those related to alcohol, drug, and t acco abuse as well as mental health problems such as grief, depre ion, suicide, and related issues and is certified by a commu ty health aide program of the Indian health service or one or more ibes or tribal organizations consistent with the provisions of 25 U. C. Sec. 1616l and RCW 43.71B.010 (7) and (8). ( ) "Behavioral health provider" means a person licensed under chapt 18.57, 18.71, 18.71A, 18.83, 18.205, 18.225, 18.79 ⟦INS⟧, or 18.--- RCW (the new chapter created in section 44 of this act) (iii) Going to, residing in, or returning from any placement outside of the home, for example, behavioral health hospital, short- term inpatient, residential treatment, group or foster home, or a correctional facility; (iv) Subject to repeated physical abuse or neglect; (v) Drug or alcohol abuse; or (vi) Homelessness. (54) "State minimum standards" means minimum requirements established by rules adopted and necessary to implement this chapter by: (a) The authority for: (i) Delivery of mental health and substance use disorder services; and (ii) Community support services and resource management services; (b) The department of health for: (i) Licensed or certified behavioral health agencies for the purpose of providing mental health or substance use disorder programs and services, or both; (ii) Licensed behavioral health providers for the provision of mental health or substance use disorder services, or both; and (iii) Residential services. (55) "Substance use disorder" means a cluster of cognitive, behavioral, and physiological symptoms indicating that an individual continues using the substance despite significant substance-related problems. The diagnosis of a substance use disorder is based on a pathological pattern of behaviors related to the use of the substances. (56) "Tribe," for the purposes of this section, means a federally recognized Indian tribe.

  amended

Action History

1. January 20, 2026

   First reading, referred to Health & Long-Term Care.

Sponsors

• (Bateman) · Primary

Subjects