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HB1259 • 2026

Behavioral health/schools

Concerning supervision requirements for behavioral health professionals in elementary and secondary public schools.

Education
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Representative Shavers, Representative Callan, Representative Pollet
Last action
2026-01-12
Official status
H Postsec Ed & W
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

Behavioral health/schools

Behavioral health/schools

What This Bill Does

  • Behavioral health/schools

Limits and Unknowns

  • This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

  1. 2026-01-12 House

    By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.

Official Summary Text

Behavioral health/schools

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
AN ACT Relating to supervision requirements for behavioral health 1
professionals in elementary and secondary public schools; and adding 2
a new section to chapter 43.70 RCW. 3
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:4
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 43.70 5
RCW to read as follows: 6
(1) The student achievement council and institutions of higher 7
education that have behavioral health programs shall collaborate with 8
the office of the superintendent of public instruction to establish 9
standards for behavioral health graduates to satisfy supervision 10
requirements for licensing and certification while serving as 11
behavioral health professionals in elementary and secondary public 12
schools. 13
(2) For purposes of this section: 14
(a) "Behavioral health professionals" includes licensed advanced 15
and independent clinical social workers, licensed marriage and family 16
therapists, and mental health counselors. 17
(b) "Institutions of higher education" has the same meaning as 18
provided in RCW 28B.10.016. 19
H-0481.1
HOUSE BILL 1259
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session
By Representatives Shavers, Callan, and Pollet
Prefiled 01/10/25. Read first time 01/13/25. Referred to Committee
on Postsecondary Education & Workforce.
p. 1 HB 1259
(c) "Elementary and secondary public schools" has the same 1
meaning as "public schools" as provided in RCW 28A.150.010.2
--- END ---
p. 2 HB 1259