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
S-0786.1
SENATE BILL 5449
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session
By Senators Slatter, Nobles, and C. Wilson
Read first time 01/23/25. Referred to Committee on Health & Long-
Term Care.
p. 1 SB 5449
(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 SB 5449