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HB1234 • 2026
Concerning the mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, and social workers advisory committee.
This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.
Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.
Counselors, etc.
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16 • Simmons
Plain English: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1234 AMH SIMM BLAC 197 1 - Official Print EFFECT: Names the bill the "Bob Cooper Act." 1234 AMH SIMM BLAC 197 HB 1234 - H AMD 16 By Representative Simmons WITHDRAWN 02/06/2025 On page 2, after line 26, insert the following: "NEW SECTION.
Effective date 7/27/2025.
Counselors, etc. committee
AN ACT Relating to the mental health counselors, marriage and 1 family therapists, and social workers advisory committee; and 2 amending RCW 18.225.060. 3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:4 Sec. 1. RCW 18.225.060 and 2001 c 251 s 6 are each amended to 5 read as follows: 6 The Washington state mental health counselors, marriage and 7 family therapists, and social workers advisory committee is 8 established. 9 (1) The committee shall be comprised of nine members ((.)) as 10 follows:11 (a) Two members ((shall)) must be licensed mental health 12 counselors((.));13 (b) Two members ((shall)) must be licensed marriage and family 14 therapists((.));15 (c) One member ((shall)) must be a licensed independent clinical 16 social worker((, and one));17 (d) One member ((shall)) must be either a licensed advanced 18 social worker((.)) or a licensed independent clinical social worker; 19 and20 H-0098.2 HOUSE BILL 1234 State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session By Representatives Simmons and Rule Prefiled 01/09/25. Read first time 01/13/25. Referred to Committee on Health Care & Wellness. p. 1 HB 1234 (e) Three members must be consumers and represent the public at 1 large and may not be licensed mental health care providers.2 (2) Three members shall be appointed for a term of one year, 3 three members shall be appointed for a term of two years, and three 4 members shall be appointed for a term of three years. Subsequent 5 members shall be appointed for terms of three years. A person must 6 not serve as a member for more than two consecutive terms.7 (3)(a) Each member must be a resident of the state of Washington.8 (b) Each member must not hold ((an)) a governing office or board 9 position in a professional association for mental health, social 10 work, or marriage and family therapy and must not be employed by the 11 state of Washington. 12 (c) Each professional member must have been actively engaged as a 13 mental health counselor, marriage and family therapist, or social 14 worker for five years immediately preceding appointment.15 (d) The consumer members must represent the general public and be 16 unaffiliated directly or indirectly with the professions licensed 17 under this chapter. 18 (4) The secretary shall appoint the committee members.19 (5) Committee members are immune from suit in an action, civil or 20 criminal, based on the department's disciplinary proceedings or other 21 official acts performed in good faith. 22 (6) Committee members shall be compensated in accordance with RCW 23 43.03.240, including travel expenses in carrying out his or her 24 authorized duties in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.25 (7) The committee shall elect a chair and vice chair.26 --- END --- p. 2 HB 1234