Mental health counselors

AN ACT Relating to creating the Washington state board of 1
licensed mental health counselors; amending RCW 18.225.010, 2
18.225.020, 18.225.030, 18.225.060, 18.225.070, 18.225.090, 3
18.225.130, 18.225.140, 18.225.145, 18.225.170, 5.60.060, 18.100.050, 4
18.205.090, 18.205.105, 19.410.010, 25.05.510, 43.70.110, 43.70.442, 5
43.70.903, 48.43.087, 49.44.220, 70.02.180, and 74.09.748; reenacting 6
and amending RCW 13.40.162, 18.120.020, 18.130.040, and 71.24.025; 7
adding a new chapter to Title 18 RCW; providing an effective date; 8
and providing a contingent effective date. 9
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:10
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds that:11
(a) The licensed mental health counseling profession has distinct 12
educational requirements, practice standards, ethical considerations, 13
and scope of practice that warrant specialized governance.14
(b) Licensed mental health counselors play a crucial role in 15
providing mental health services to Washington state residents, and 16
the profession has grown significantly in scope, complexity, and 17
public impact. 18
(c) The establishment of an independent licensing board will 19
provide stronger professional oversight, more targeted regulatory 20
S-3991.2
SENATE BILL 6232
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2026 Regular Session
By Senators Bateman, Hasegawa, Nobles, Riccelli, Saldaña, and C.
Wilson
Read first time 01/20/26. Referred to Committee on Health & Long-
Term Care.
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focus, and enhanced public protection specifically related to mental 1
health counseling practice. 2
(d) An independent board will enhance the profession's ability to 3
respond promptly and effectively to evolving practice standards, 4
emerging ethical issues, and public protection needs.5
(e) As Washington prepares to adopt the counseling compact, an 6
independent licensing board becomes necessary to manage the state's 7
regulatory duties under the compact. A licensing board provides the 8
authority, infrastructure, and accountability needed to evaluate and 9
grant practice privileges, set and enforce standards, and oversee 10
compact practitioners practicing in Washington. Moving to a licensing 11
board model ensures consistent regulation, facilitates effective 12
participation in the compact, and enhances consumer protection within 13
an expanded interstate practice environment. 14
(f) Professional self-regulation through an independent licensing 15
board improves accountability, encourages professional excellence, 16
and guarantees that regulatory decisions are based on current 17
practice standards and clinical expertise. 18
(g) The creation of an independent licensing board aligns with 19
the regulatory structure of other health care professions in 20
Washington state and demonstrates the maturity and independence of 21
the mental health counseling profession. 22
(2) The legislature intends to establish the board of licensing 23
of licensed mental health counselors to improve public safety, 24
strengthen professional oversight, support the ongoing growth of 25
high-quality mental health counseling in Washington, and ensure that 26
mental health services meet the highest standards of safety, ethics, 27
and clinical skill. 28
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. The definitions in this section apply 29
throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires 30
otherwise.31
(1) "Applicant" means a person who completes the required 32
application, pays the required fee, is at least 18 years of age, and 33
meets any background check requirements and uniform disciplinary act 34
requirements. 35
(2) "Associate" means a prelicensure candidate who has a graduate 36
degree in a mental health field under RCW 18.225.090 and is gaining 37
the supervision and supervised experience necessary to become a 38
licensed mental health counselor. 39
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(3) "Board" means the board of licensed mental health counselors.1
(4) "Department" means the department of health.2
(5) "Disciplining authority" means the board. 3
(6) "Mental health counseling" means the application of 4
principles of human development, learning theory, psychotherapy, 5
group dynamics, and etiology of mental illness and dysfunctional 6
behavior to individuals, couples, families, groups, and 7
organizations, for the purpose of treatment of mental disorders and 8
promoting optimal mental health and functionality. "Mental health 9
counseling" also includes, but is not limited to, the assessment, 10
diagnosis, and treatment of mental and emotional disorders, as well 11
as the application of a wellness model of mental health.12
(7) "Secretary" means the secretary of the department of health 13
or the secretary's designee. 14
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. (1) A board of licensed mental health 15
counselors is established, consisting of nine members appointed by 16
the governor. Seven members shall be licensed mental health 17
counselors, and two members shall be members of the public.18
(2) Members are appointed for three-year terms. No member may 19
serve more than two consecutive full terms. Members hold office until 20
their successors are appointed. The governor may initially appoint 21
the members to staggered terms to ensure an orderly rotation, so that 22
no more than three members' terms expire each year; subsequent 23
appointments are for full three-year terms. 24
(3) The public members of the board may not be and have never 25
been a licensed mental health counselor or in training to be one; may 26
not have any household member who is a licensed mental health 27
counselor or in training to be one; may not participate or have ever 28
participated in a commercial or professional field related to mental 29
health, nor have a household member who has so participated; and may 30
not have had, within two years before appointment, a substantial 31
financial interest in a person regulated by the board.32
(4) Each mental health counselor member shall be licensed under 33
this chapter and shall have actively practiced mental health 34
counseling in the state of Washington for at least three years 35
immediately preceding appointment. 36
(5) The board shall elect officers each year. The board shall 37
meet at least six times each year and may hold additional meetings at 38
the chair's discretion. Meetings of the board are open to the public, 39
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except that the board may hold executive sessions to the extent 1
permitted by chapter 42.30 RCW. The department shall provide 2
secretarial, clerical, and other assistance as required by the board.3
(6) Each member of the board shall be compensated in accordance 4
with RCW 43.03.240. Members shall be reimbursed for travel expenses 5
incurred in the actual performance of their duties, as provided in 6
RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060. 7
(7) A majority of the board members appointed and serving 8
constitutes a quorum for the transaction of board business. The 9
affirmative vote of a majority of a quorum of the board is required 10
to carry a motion or resolution, to adopt a rule, or to pass a 11
measure. 12
(8) The board may appoint members to panels of at least three 13
members. A quorum for the transaction of any business by a panel is a 14
minimum of three members. A majority vote of a quorum of the panel is 15
required to transact business delegated to it by the board.16
(9) The board may adopt such rules as are consistent with this 17
chapter as may be deemed necessary and proper to carry out the 18
purposes of this chapter. 19
(10) The governor may remove a member of the board for neglect of 20
duty, misconduct, or malfeasance or misfeasance in office. Whenever 21
the governor is satisfied that a member of the board has been guilty 22
of neglect of duty, misconduct, or malfeasance or misfeasance in 23
office, the governor shall file with the secretary of state a 24
statement of the cause for and the order of removal from office, and 25
the secretary shall immediately send a certified copy of the order of 26
removal and statement of causes by certified mail to the last known 27
post office address of the member. If a vacancy occurs on the board, 28
the governor shall appoint a replacement to fill the remainder of the 29
unexpired term. 30
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. (1) In addition to any other authority 31
provided by law, the board shall:32
(a) Adopt rules, in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW, necessary 33
to implement this chapter with respect to licensed mental health 34
counselors; 35
(b) Determine the minimum education and experience requirements 36
for licensure as a mental health counselor, including approval of 37
educational programs and supervised experience consistent with this 38
chapter; 39
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(c) Prepare and administer, or approve the preparation and 1
administration of, examinations for licensure, including acceptance 2
of national examinations consistent with this chapter;3
(d) Establish by rule the procedures for an appeal of examination 4
failure; 5
(e) Determine whether alternative methods of training are 6
equivalent to formal education, and establish forms, procedures, and 7
criteria for evaluation of an applicant's equivalent alternative 8
training to determine the applicant's eligibility to take the 9
examination; 10
(f) Adopt rules implementing a continuing competency program for 11
licensed mental health counselors, including continuing education 12
requirements; 13
(g) Keep complete records of its proceedings; the names and 14
qualifications of all applicants; and the names and addresses of all 15
licensed mental health counselors; 16
(h) By rule, adopt a code of ethics for mental health counselors 17
designed to protect the public interest; 18
(i) By rule, require that persons licensed as mental health 19
counselors obtain and maintain professional liability insurance in 20
amounts determined by the board to be practicable and reasonably 21
available; 22
(j) Serve as members of standing committees when appointed; and23
(k) Establish by rule uniform standards of supervision and 24
requirements for mental health counselor associates.25
(2) In conducting investigations and complaint resolution, the 26
board may obtain the written consent of the complaining client or 27
patient or their legal representative, or of any person who may be 28
affected by the complaint, in order to obtain information which 29
otherwise might be confidential or privileged. 30
(3) The uniform disciplinary act, chapter 18.130 RCW, governs 31
unlicensed practice, the issuance and denial of licenses, and the 32
discipline of licensees under this chapter. For purposes of chapter 33
18.130 RCW, the board is the disciplining authority for mental health 34
counselors under this chapter. 35
NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. In addition to any other authority 36
provided by law, the secretary has the authority to:37
(1) Set all license, examination, and renewal fees in accordance 38
with RCW 43.70.250; 39
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(2) Establish forms and procedures necessary to administer this 1
chapter; 2
(3) Issue a license to any applicant who has met the education, 3
training, and examination requirements for licensure as a mental 4
health counselor, and deny a license to applicants who do not meet 5
the minimum qualifications for licensure; except that denial of 6
licenses based on unprofessional conduct or impaired practice shall 7
be governed by the uniform disciplinary act, chapter 18.130 RCW;8
(4) Hire clerical, administrative, and investigative staff as 9
needed to implement and administer this chapter and to hire 10
individuals, including licensees under this chapter, to serve as 11
examiners or consultants as necessary to implement and administer 12
this chapter; 13
(5) Maintain the official department record of all applicants and 14
licensees; and 15
(6) Conduct a hearing on an appeal of a denial of a license based 16
on the applicant's failure to meet the minimum qualifications for 17
licensure. The hearing shall be conducted pursuant to chapter 34.05 18
RCW. 19
NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. The secretary, members of the board, or 20
individuals acting on their behalf, are immune from suit in any civil 21
action based on any act performed in the course of their duties.22
NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. The board shall establish by rule an 23
examination prepared or administered, or both, by a private testing 24
agency or association of licensing boards for use by a licensed 25
mental health counselor applicant in meeting the licensing 26
requirement. The examination shall contain subjects appropriate to 27
the standards of competency and scope of practice.28
NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. The board shall establish by rule the 29
standards for licensure by endorsement or reciprocity for applicants 30
licensed in another jurisdiction as a mental health counselor or 31
equivalent. The standards for reciprocity of licensure shall not be 32
less than required for licensure in the state of Washington.33
NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. (1) The secretary shall issue an associate 34
license to any applicant who graduates from a master's degree or 35
doctoral degree educational program in mental health counseling or a 36
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related discipline from a college or university approved by the 1
secretary based upon nationally recognized standards and submits a 2
declaration that the applicant is working toward full licensure in 3
that category. 4
(2) Associates may not provide independent mental health 5
counseling for a fee, monetary or otherwise. Associates must work 6
under the supervision of an approved supervisor. An applicant for an 7
associate license under this section may practice without a license 8
under the direct supervision of an approved supervisor for 120 days 9
after the department receives the applicant's completed application 10
or the applicant's license is issued or denied, whichever is sooner.11
(3) Associates shall provide each client or patient, during the 12
first professional contact, with a disclosure form according to 13
section 10 of this act, disclosing that he or she is an associate 14
under the supervision of an approved supervisor. 15
(4) The board shall adopt by rule what constitutes adequate proof 16
of compliance with the requirements of this section.17
(5) Applicants are subject to the denial of a license or issuance 18
of a conditional license for the reasons set forth in chapter 18.130 19
RCW. 20
(6) An associate license may be renewed. The applicant for 21
renewal must have successfully completed, in the preceding year, 22
continuing education requirements established in rule by the board. 23
Beginning with the second renewal, the continuing education 24
requirements established in rule by the board must require the 25
applicant to complete a minimum number of continuing education hours 26
in the preceding two years in professional ethics.27
NEW SECTION. Sec. 10. A person licensed under this chapter must 28
provide clients at the commencement of any program of treatment with 29
accurate disclosure information concerning the practice, in 30
accordance with rules adopted by the board, including the right of 31
clients to refuse treatment, the responsibility of clients to choose 32
the provider and treatment modality which best suits their needs, and 33
the extent of confidentiality provided by this chapter. The 34
disclosure information must also include the license holder's 35
professional education and training, the therapeutic orientation of 36
the practice, the proposed course of treatment where known, financial 37
requirements, and such other information as required by rule. The 38
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disclosure must be acknowledged in writing by the client and license 1
holder. 2
NEW SECTION. Sec. 11. A person licensed under this chapter 3
shall not disclose the written acknowledgment of the disclosure 4
statement pursuant to section 10 of this act, nor any information 5
acquired from persons consulting the individual in a professional 6
capacity when the information was necessary to enable the individual 7
to render professional services to those persons except:8
(1) With the written authorization of that person or, in the case 9
of death or disability, the person's personal representative;10
(2) If the person waives the privilege by bringing charges 11
against the person licensed under this chapter; 12
(3) In response to a subpoena from the secretary. The secretary 13
may subpoena only records related to a complaint or report under RCW 14
18.130.050; 15
(4) As required under chapter 26.44 or 74.34 RCW or RCW 71.05.217 16
(6) and (7); 17
(5) When disclosure of health care information is permitted under 18
chapter 70.02 RCW; or 19
(6) To any individual if the person licensed under this chapter 20
reasonably believes that disclosure will avoid or minimize an 21
imminent danger to the health or safety of the individual or any 22
other individual; however, there is no obligation on the part of the 23
provider to so disclose. 24
NEW SECTION. Sec. 12. A person must not represent himself or 25
herself as a mental health counselor or mental health counselor 26
associate without being licensed by the department.27
NEW SECTION. Sec. 13. (1) Until such time as the board is fully 28
constituted, has completed its initial rule making, adopted rules, 29
and has assumed full regulatory authority, the secretary shall 30
continue to exercise regulatory authority over mental health 31
counselors under existing administrative rules and chapter 18.225 32
RCW. This temporary authority shall expire no later than three years 33
from the effective date of this section, or upon the board's 34
assumption of full regulatory authority, whichever occurs first.35
(2) Until such time as the board is fully constituted, has 36
completed its initial rule making, adopted rules, and has assumed 37
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full regulatory authority, nothing in this chapter shall be construed 1
to conflict with chapter 18.225 RCW. 2
NEW SECTION. Sec. 14. The department shall provide an annual 3
fiscal report to the legislature on the financial status of the 4
mental health counselor licensing program and board operations.5
NEW SECTION. Sec. 15. (1) Within six months of July 1, 2026, 6
the governor shall appoint initial board members as provided in 7
section 3 of this act.8
(2) Within nine months of July 1, 2026, the board shall hold its 9
first meeting and elect officers. 10
(3) Within 18 months of July 1, 2026, the board shall complete 11
initial rule making necessary to assume regulatory authority.12
(4) Within 36 months of July 1, 2026, the board shall adopt rules 13
to assume full regulatory authority over mental health counselors, 14
including all disciplinary functions. 15
NEW SECTION. Sec. 16. The board shall promulgate rules relating 16
to issuance of a retired active license under RCW 18.130.250 for 17
mental health counselors.18
Sec. 17. RCW 18.225.010 and 2025 c 58 s 5082 are each amended to 19
read as follows: 20
The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter 21
unless the context clearly requires otherwise. 22
(1) "Advanced social work" means the application of social work 23
theory and methods, including: 24
(a) Emotional and biopsychosocial assessment; 25
(b) Psychotherapy under the supervision of a licensed independent 26
clinical social worker, psychiatrist, psychologist, psychiatric 27
advanced practice registered nurse, psychiatric nurse, or other 28
mental health professionals as may be defined by rules adopted by the 29
secretary; 30
(c) Case management; 31
(d) Consultation; 32
(e) Advocacy; 33
(f) Counseling; or 34
(g) Community organization. 35
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(2) "Applicant" means a person who completes the required 1
application, pays the required fee, is at least eighteen years of 2
age, and meets any background check requirements and uniform 3
disciplinary act requirements. 4
(3) "Associate" means a prelicensure candidate who has a graduate 5
degree in a mental health field under RCW 18.225.090 and is gaining 6
the supervision and supervised experience necessary to become a 7
licensed independent clinical social worker, a licensed advanced 8
social worker, ((a licensed mental health counselor, )) or a licensed 9
marriage and family therapist. 10
(4) "Committee" means the Washington state ((mental health 11
counselors,)) marriage and family therapists ((,)) and social workers 12
advisory committee. 13
(5) "Department" means the department of health.14
(6) "Disciplining authority" means the department.15
(7) "Independent clinical social work" means the diagnosis and 16
treatment of emotional and mental disorders based on knowledge of 17
human development, the causation and treatment of psychopathology, 18
psychotherapeutic treatment practices, and social work practice as 19
defined in advanced social work. Treatment modalities include but are 20
not limited to diagnosis and treatment of individuals, couples, 21
families, groups, or organizations. 22
(8) "Marriage and family therapy" means the diagnosis and 23
treatment of mental and emotional disorders, whether cognitive, 24
affective, or behavioral, within the context of relationships, 25
including marriage and family systems. Marriage and family therapy 26
involves the professional application of psychotherapeutic and family 27
systems theories and techniques in the delivery of services to 28
individuals, couples, and families for the purpose of treating such 29
diagnosed nervous and mental disorders. The practice of marriage and 30
family therapy means the rendering of professional marriage and 31
family therapy services to individuals, couples, and families, singly 32
or in groups, whether such services are offered directly to the 33
general public or through organizations, either public or private, 34
for a fee, monetary or otherwise. 35
(9) (("Mental health counseling" means the application of 36
principles of human development, learning theory, psychotherapy, 37
group dynamics, and etiology of mental illness and dysfunctional 38
behavior to individuals, couples, families, groups, and 39
organizations, for the purpose of treatment of mental disorders and 40
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promoting optimal mental health and functionality. Mental health 1
counseling also includes, but is not limited to, the assessment, 2
diagnosis, and treatment of mental and emotional disorders, as well 3
as the application of a wellness model of mental health.4
(10))) "Secretary" means the secretary of health or the 5
secretary's designee. 6
Sec. 18. RCW 18.225.020 and 2008 c 135 s 12 are each amended to 7
read as follows: 8
A person must not represent himself or herself as a licensed 9
advanced social worker, a licensed independent clinical social 10
worker, ((a licensed mental health counselor, )) a licensed marriage 11
and family therapist, a licensed social work associate — advanced, a 12
licensed social work associate — independent clinical, ((a licensed 13
mental health counselor associate, )) or a licensed marriage and 14
family therapist associate, without being licensed by the department.15
Sec. 19. RCW 18.225.030 and 2001 c 251 s 3 are each amended to 16
read as follows: 17
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit or 18
restrict: 19
(1) The practice of marriage and family therapy ((, mental health 20
counseling,)) or social work by an individual otherwise regulated 21
under this title and performing services within the authorized scope 22
of practice; 23
(2) The practice of marriage and family therapy ((, mental health 24
counseling,)) or social work by an individual employed by the 25
government of the United States or state of Washington while engaged 26
in the performance of duties prescribed by the laws of the United 27
States or state of Washington; 28
(3) The practice of marriage and family therapy ((, mental health 29
counseling,)) or social work by a person who is a regular student in 30
an educational program based on recognized national standards and 31
approved by the secretary, and whose performance of services is 32
pursuant to a regular course of instruction or assignments from an 33
instructor and under the general supervision of the instructor;34
(4) The practice of marriage and family therapy ((, mental health 35
counseling,)) or social work under the auspices of a religious 36
denomination, church, or religious organization. 37
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Sec. 20. RCW 18.225.060 and 2025 c 20 s 1 are each amended to 1
read as follows: 2
The Washington state ((mental health counselors, )) marriage and 3
family therapists ((,)) and social workers advisory committee is 4
established. 5
(1) The committee shall be comprised of ((nine)) seven members as 6
follows: 7
(a) ((Two members must be licensed mental health counselors;8
(b) Two)) Three members must be licensed marriage and family 9
therapists; 10
(((c) One member must be a licensed independent clinical social 11
worker;12
(d) One member must be either a licensed advanced social worker 13
or a licensed independent clinical social worker; and14
(e) Three members must be consumers )) (b) Three members must be 15
licensed independent clinical social workers or licensed independent 16
clinical social workers; and17
(c) One member must be a consumer and represent the public at 18
large and may not be a licensed mental health care provider((s)).19
(2) Three members shall be appointed for a term of one year, 20
three members shall be appointed for a term of two years, and three 21
members shall be appointed for a term of three years. Subsequent 22
members shall be appointed for terms of three years. A person must 23
not serve as a member for more than two consecutive terms.24
(3)(a) Each member must be a resident of the state of Washington.25
(b) Each member must not hold a governing office or board 26
position in a professional association for ((mental health,)) social 27
work((,)) or marriage and family therapy and must not be employed by 28
the state of Washington. 29
(c) Each professional member must have been actively engaged as a 30
((mental health counselor, )) marriage and family therapist ((,)) or 31
social worker for five years immediately preceding appointment.32
(d) The consumer members must represent the general public and be 33
unaffiliated directly or indirectly with the professions licensed 34
under this chapter. 35
(4) The secretary shall appoint the committee members.36
(5) Committee members are immune from suit in an action, civil or 37
criminal, based on the department's disciplinary proceedings or other 38
official acts performed in good faith. 39
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(6) Committee members shall be compensated in accordance with RCW 1
43.03.240, including travel expenses in carrying out his or her 2
authorized duties in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.3
(7) The committee shall elect a chair and vice chair.4
Sec. 21. RCW 18.225.070 and 2001 c 251 s 7 are each amended to 5
read as follows: 6
The department of health may seek the advice and assistance of 7
the advisory committee in administering this chapter, including, but 8
not limited to: 9
(1) Advice and recommendations regarding the establishment or 10
implementation of rules related to the administration of this 11
chapter; 12
(2) Advice, recommendations, and consultation regarding case 13
disposition guidelines and priorities related to unprofessional 14
conduct cases regarding ((licensed mental health counselors, )) 15
licensed clinical social workers, licensed advanced social workers, 16
and licensed marriage and family therapists; 17
(3) Assistance and consultation of individual committee members 18
as needed in the review, analysis, and disposition of reports of 19
unprofessional conduct and consumer complaints; 20
(4) Assistance and recommendations to enhance consumer education; 21
and 22
(5) Assistance and recommendations regarding any continuing 23
education and continuing competency programs administered under the 24
provisions of ((the [this])) this chapter. 25
Sec. 22. RCW 18.225.090 and 2025 c 58 s 1003 are each amended to 26
read as follows: 27
(1) The secretary shall issue a license to any applicant who 28
demonstrates to the satisfaction of the secretary that the applicant 29
meets the following education and experience requirements for the 30
applicant's practice area. 31
(a) Licensed social work classifications: 32
(i) Licensed advanced social worker: 33
(A) Graduation from a master's social work educational program 34
accredited by the council on social work education or a social work 35
doctorate program at a university accredited by a recognized 36
accrediting organization, and approved by the secretary based upon 37
nationally recognized standards; 38
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(B) Successful completion of an approved examination;1
(C) Successful completion of a supervised experience requirement. 2
The supervised experience requirement consists of a minimum of 3,000 3
hours with supervision by an approved supervisor who has been 4
licensed for at least two years. Of those supervised hours:5
(I) At least 90 hours must include direct supervision as 6
specified in this subsection by a licensed independent clinical 7
social worker, a licensed advanced social worker, or an equally 8
qualified licensed mental health professional. Of those hours of 9
directly supervised experience at least 40 hours must be in one-to-10
one supervision and 50 hours may be in one-to-one supervision or 11
group supervision; and 12
(II) 800 hours must be in direct client contact; and13
(D) Successful completion of continuing education requirements 14
established in rule by the secretary in consultation with the 15
committee, including a minimum number of hours in professional 16
ethics. 17
(ii) Licensed independent clinical social worker:18
(A) Graduation from a master's level social work educational 19
program accredited by the council on social work education or a 20
social work doctorate program at a university accredited by a 21
recognized accrediting organization, and approved by the secretary 22
based upon nationally recognized standards; 23
(B) Successful completion of an approved examination;24
(C) Successful completion of a supervised experience requirement. 25
The supervised experience requirement consists of a minimum of 3,000 26
hours of experience, over a period of not less than two years, with 27
supervision by an approved supervisor who has been licensed for at 28
least two years and, as specified in this subsection, may be either a 29
licensed independent clinical social worker who has had at least one 30
year of experience in supervising the clinical social work of others 31
or an equally qualified licensed mental health practitioner. Of those 32
supervised hours: 33
(I) At least 1,000 hours must be direct client contact; and34
(II) Hours of direct supervision must include:35
(1) At least 100 hours by a licensed mental health practitioner;36
(2) At least 70 hours of supervision with a licensed independent 37
clinical social worker meeting the qualifications under this 38
subsection (1)(a)(ii)(C); the remaining hours may be supervised by an 39
equally qualified licensed mental health practitioner; and40
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(3) At least 60 hours must be in one-to-one supervision and the 1
remaining hours may be in one-to-one supervision or group 2
supervision; and 3
(D) Successful completion of continuing education requirements 4
established in rule by the secretary in consultation with the 5
committee, including a minimum number of hours in professional 6
ethics. 7
(b) ((Licensed mental health counselor:8
(i)(A) Graduation from a master's or doctoral level educational 9
program in counseling that consists of at least 60 semester hours or 10
90 quarter hours, or includes at least 60 semester hours or 90 11
quarter hours of graduate coursework that includes the following 12
topic areas:13
(I) Mental health counseling orientation and ethical practice;14
(II) Social and cultural diversity;15
(III) Human growth and development;16
(IV) Career development;17
(V) Counseling and helping relationships;18
(VI) Group counseling and group work;19
(VII) Diagnosis and treatment;20
(VIII) Assessment and testing; and21
(IX) Research and program evaluation; or22
(B) Graduation from a master's or doctoral level educational 23
program in a related discipline from a college or university approved 24
by the secretary based upon nationally recognized standards. An 25
applicant who satisfies the educational requirements for licensure 26
under this subsection (1)(b)(i)(B) is not qualified to exercise the 27
privilege to practice under the counseling compact established in 28
chapter 18.17 RCW unless the master's or doctoral level educational 29
program in a related discipline consists of at least 60 semester 30
hours or 90 quarter hours, or includes at least 60 semester hours or 31
90 quarter hours of graduate coursework that includes the topic areas 32
specified in (b)(i)(A)(I) through (IX) of this subsection;33
(ii) Successful completion of an approved examination;34
(iii) Successful completion of a supervised experience 35
requirement. The experience requirement consists of a minimum of 36 36
months full-time counseling or 3,000 hours of postgraduate mental 37
health counseling under the supervision of a qualified licensed 38
mental health counselor or equally qualified licensed mental health 39
practitioner, in an approved setting. The 3,000 hours of required 40
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experience includes a minimum of 100 hours spent in immediate 1
supervision with the qualified licensed mental health counselor, and 2
includes a minimum of 1,200 hours of direct counseling with 3
individuals, couples, families, or groups; and 4
(iv) Successful completion of continuing education requirements 5
established in rule by the secretary in consultation with the 6
committee, including a minimum number of hours in professional 7
ethics.8
(c))) Licensed marriage and family therapist: 9
(i) Graduation from a master's degree or doctoral degree 10
educational program in marriage and family therapy or graduation from 11
an educational program in an allied field equivalent to a master's 12
degree or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy approved by 13
the secretary based upon nationally recognized standards;14
(ii) Successful passage of an approved examination;15
(iii) Successful completion of a supervised experience 16
requirement. The experience requirement consists of a minimum of 17
3,000 hours of marriage and family therapy. Of the total supervision, 18
100 hours must be with a licensed marriage and family therapist with 19
at least two years' clinical experience; the other 100 hours may be 20
with an equally qualified licensed mental health practitioner. Total 21
experience requirements include: 22
(A) 1,000 hours of direct client contact; at least 500 hours must 23
be gained in diagnosing and treating couples and families; plus24
(B) At least 200 hours of qualified supervision with a 25
supervisor. At least 100 of the 200 hours must be one-on-one 26
supervision, and the remaining hours may be in one-on-one or group 27
supervision. 28
Applicants who have completed a master's program accredited by 29
the commission on accreditation for marriage and family therapy 30
education of the American association for marriage and family therapy 31
may be credited with 500 hours of direct client contact and 100 hours 32
of formal meetings with an approved supervisor; and33
(iv) Successful completion of continuing education requirements 34
established in rule by the secretary in consultation with the 35
committee, including a minimum number of hours in professional 36
ethics. 37
(2) The department shall establish by rule what constitutes 38
adequate proof of meeting the criteria. Only rules in effect on the 39
date of submission of a completed application of an associate for her 40
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or his license shall apply. If the rules change after a completed 1
application is submitted but before a license is issued, the new 2
rules shall not be reason to deny the application. 3
(3) In addition, applicants shall be subject to the grounds for 4
denial of a license or issuance of a conditional license under 5
chapter 18.130 RCW. 6
Sec. 23. RCW 18.225.130 and 2001 c 251 s 13 are each amended to 7
read as follows: 8
Any person certified under chapter 18.19 RCW who has met the 9
applicable experience and education requirements under chapter 18.19 10
RCW prior to July 22, 2001, is eligible for a license as an advanced 11
social worker, an independent clinical social worker, or a marriage 12
and family therapist ((, or a mental health counselor )) under this 13
chapter without taking the examination. 14
Sec. 24. RCW 18.225.140 and 2023 c 425 s 4 are each amended to 15
read as follows: 16
(1) An applicant holding a credential in another state may be 17
licensed to practice in this state without examination if the 18
secretary determines that the other state's credentialing standards 19
are substantially equivalent to the licensing standards in this 20
state. 21
(2)(a)(i) The department shall establish a reciprocity program 22
for applicants for licensure as an advanced social worker, an 23
independent clinical social worker, ((a mental health counselor, )) or 24
a marriage and family therapist in Washington. 25
(ii) The reciprocity program applies to applicants for a license 26
as an advanced social worker, an independent clinical social worker, 27
((a mental health counselor, )) or a marriage and family therapist 28
who: 29
(A) Hold or have held within the past 12 months a credential in 30
good standing from another state or territory of the United States 31
which has a scope of practice that is substantially equivalent to or 32
greater than the scope of practice for the corresponding license as 33
established under this chapter; and 34
(B) Have no disciplinary record or disqualifying criminal 35
history. 36
(b) The department shall issue a probationary license to an 37
applicant who meets the requirements of (a)(ii) of this subsection. 38
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The department must determine what deficiencies, if any, exist 1
between the education and experience requirements of the other 2
state's credential and, after consideration of the experience and 3
capabilities of the applicant, determine whether it is appropriate to 4
require the applicant to complete additional education or experience 5
requirements to maintain the probationary license and, within a 6
reasonable time period, transition to a full license. The department 7
may place a reasonable time limit on a probationary license and may, 8
if appropriate, require the applicant to pass a jurisprudential 9
examination. 10
(c) The department must maintain and publish a list of 11
credentials in other states and territories that the department has 12
determined to have a scope of practice that is substantially 13
equivalent to or greater than the scope of practice for licensed 14
advanced social workers, independent clinical social workers, 15
((mental health counselors, )) or marriage and family therapists as 16
established under this chapter. The department shall prioritize 17
identifying and publishing the department's determination for the 18
five states or territories that have historically had the most 19
applicants for reciprocity under subsection (1) of this section with 20
a scope of practice that is substantially equivalent to or greater 21
than the scope of practice for licensed advanced social workers, 22
independent clinical social workers, ((mental health counselors, )) 23
and marriage and family therapists under this chapter.24
Sec. 25. RCW 18.225.145 and 2024 c 371 s 15 are each amended to 25
read as follows: 26
(1) The secretary shall issue an associate license to any 27
applicant who demonstrates to the satisfaction of the secretary that 28
the applicant meets the following requirements for the applicant's 29
practice area and submits a declaration that the applicant is working 30
toward full licensure in that category: 31
(a) Licensed social worker associate — advanced or licensed social 32
worker associate — independent clinical: Graduation from a master's 33
degree or doctoral degree educational program in social work 34
accredited by the council on social work education and approved by 35
the secretary based upon nationally recognized standards.36
(b) ((Licensed mental health counselor associate: Graduation from 37
a master's degree or doctoral degree educational program in mental 38
health counseling or a related discipline from a college or 39
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university approved by the secretary based upon nationally recognized 1
standards. 2
(c))) Licensed marriage and family therapist associate: 3
Graduation from a master's degree or doctoral degree educational 4
program in marriage and family therapy or graduation from an 5
educational program in an allied field equivalent to a master's 6
degree or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy approved by 7
the secretary based upon nationally recognized standards.8
(2) Associates may not provide independent social work ((, mental 9
health counseling, )) or marriage and family therapy for a fee, 10
monetary or otherwise. Associates must work under the supervision of 11
an approved supervisor. Beginning October 1, 2025, an applicant for 12
an associate license under this section may practice without a 13
license under the direct supervision of an approved supervisor for 14
120 days after the department receives the applicant's completed 15
application or the applicant's license is issued or denied, whichever 16
is sooner. 17
(3) Associates shall provide each client or patient, during the 18
first professional contact, with a disclosure form according to RCW 19
18.225.100, disclosing that he or she is an associate under the 20
supervision of an approved supervisor. 21
(4) The department shall adopt by rule what constitutes adequate 22
proof of compliance with the requirements of this section.23
(5) Applicants are subject to the denial of a license or issuance 24
of a conditional license for the reasons set forth in chapter 18.130 25
RCW. 26
(6)(a) An associate license may be renewed. Until October 1, 27
2025, the applicant for renewal must have successfully completed 28
eighteen hours of continuing education in the preceding year. After 29
October 1, 2025, the applicant for renewal must have successfully 30
completed, in the preceding year, continuing education requirements 31
established in rule by the secretary in consultation with the 32
committee. Beginning with the second renewal, the continuing 33
education requirements established in rule by the secretary in 34
consultation with the committee must require the applicant to 35
complete a minimum number of continuing education hours in the 36
preceding two years in professional ethics. 37
(b) A person whose associate license was not renewed due to the 38
person exceeding the six-renewal limit in place prior to June 6, 39
2024, shall be treated as if the person's license expired. The 40
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secretary shall allow such a person to return the person's associate 1
license to active status pursuant to standard rules and procedures in 2
place for returning an expired credential to active status.3
Sec. 26. RCW 18.225.170 and 2012 c 58 s 1 are each amended to 4
read as follows: 5
The secretary of the department of health shall promulgate rules 6
relating to issuance of a retired active license under RCW 18.130.250 7
for ((mental health counselors, )) marriage and family therapists, 8
advanced social workers, and independent clinical social workers.9
Sec. 27. RCW 5.60.060 and 2025 c 346 s 3 are each amended to 10
read as follows: 11
(1) A spouse or domestic partner shall not be examined for or 12
against his or her spouse or domestic partner, without the consent of 13
the spouse or domestic partner; nor can either during marriage or 14
during the domestic partnership or afterward, be without the consent 15
of the other, examined as to any communication made by one to the 16
other during the marriage or the domestic partnership. But this 17
exception shall not apply to a civil action or proceeding by one 18
against the other, nor to a criminal action or proceeding for a crime 19
committed by one against the other, nor to a criminal action or 20
proceeding against a spouse or domestic partner if the marriage or 21
the domestic partnership occurred subsequent to the filing of formal 22
charges against the defendant, nor to a criminal action or proceeding 23
for a crime committed by said spouse or domestic partner against any 24
child of whom said spouse or domestic partner is the parent or 25
guardian, nor to a proceeding under chapter 71.05 or 71.09 RCW: 26
PROVIDED, That the spouse or the domestic partner of a person sought 27
to be detained under chapter 71.05 or 71.09 RCW may not be compelled 28
to testify and shall be so informed by the court prior to being 29
called as a witness. 30
(2)(a) An attorney or counselor shall not, without the consent of 31
his or her client, be examined as to any communication made by the 32
client to him or her, or his or her advice given thereon in the 33
course of professional employment. 34
(b) A parent or guardian of a minor child arrested on a criminal 35
charge may not be examined as to a communication between the child 36
and his or her attorney if the communication was made in the presence 37
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of the parent or guardian. This privilege does not extend to 1
communications made prior to the arrest. 2
(3) A member of the clergy, a Christian Science practitioner 3
listed in the Christian Science Journal, or a priest shall not, 4
without the consent of a person making the confession or sacred 5
confidence, be examined as to any confession or sacred confidence 6
made to him or her in his or her professional character, in the 7
course of discipline enjoined by the church to which he or she 8
belongs. 9
(4) Subject to the limitations under RCW 71.05.217 (6) and (7), a 10
physician or surgeon or osteopathic physician or surgeon or podiatric 11
physician or surgeon shall not, without the consent of his or her 12
patient, be examined in a civil action as to any information acquired 13
in attending such patient, which was necessary to enable him or her 14
to prescribe or act for the patient, except as follows:15
(a) In any judicial proceedings regarding a child's injury, 16
neglect, or sexual abuse or the cause thereof; and17
(b) Ninety days after filing an action for personal injuries or 18
wrongful death, the claimant shall be deemed to waive the physician-19
patient privilege. Waiver of the physician-patient privilege for any 20
one physician or condition constitutes a waiver of the privilege as 21
to all physicians or conditions, subject to such limitations as a 22
court may impose pursuant to court rules. 23
(5) A public officer shall not be examined as a witness as to 24
communications made to him or her in official confidence, when the 25
public interest would suffer by the disclosure. 26
(6)(a) A peer supporter shall not, without consent of the peer 27
support services recipient making the communication, be compelled to 28
testify about any communication made to the peer supporter by the 29
peer support services recipient while receiving individual or group 30
services. The peer supporter must be designated as such by their 31
employing agency prior to providing peer support services. The 32
privilege only applies when the communication was made to the peer 33
supporter while acting in his or her capacity as a peer supporter. 34
The privilege applies regardless of whether the peer support services 35
recipient is an employee of the same agency as the peer supporter. 36
Peer support services may be coordinated or designated among first 37
responder agencies pursuant to chapter 10.93 RCW, interlocal 38
agreement, or other similar provision, provided however that a 39
written agreement is not required for the privilege to apply. The 40
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privilege does not apply if the peer supporter was an initial 1
responding first responder, department of corrections staff person, 2
or jail staff person; a witness; or a party to the incident which 3
prompted the delivery of peer support services to the peer support 4
services recipient. 5
(b) For purposes of this section: 6
(i) "First responder" means: 7
(A) A law enforcement officer; 8
(B) A limited authority law enforcement officer;9
(C) A firefighter; 10
(D) An emergency services dispatcher or recordkeeper;11
(E) Emergency medical personnel, as licensed or certified by this 12
state; 13
(F) A member or former member of the Washington national guard 14
acting in an emergency response capacity pursuant to chapter 38.52 15
RCW; 16
(G) A coroner or medical examiner, or a coroner's or medical 17
examiner's agent or employee; or 18
(H) An individual engaged in co-response services, as defined in 19
RCW 71.24.025. 20
(ii) "Law enforcement officer" means a general authority 21
Washington peace officer as defined in RCW 10.93.020.22
(iii) "Limited authority law enforcement officer" means a limited 23
authority Washington peace officer as defined in RCW 10.93.020 who is 24
employed by the department of corrections, state parks and recreation 25
commission, department of natural resources, liquor and cannabis 26
board, or Washington state gambling commission. 27
(iv) "Peer support services recipient" means: 28
(A) A first responder; 29
(B) A department of corrections staff person; or30
(C) A jail staff person. 31
(v) "Peer supporter" means: 32
(A) A first responder, retired first responder, department of 33
corrections staff person, or jail staff person or a civilian employee 34
of a first responder entity or agency, local jail, or state agency 35
who has received training to provide emotional and moral support and 36
services to a peer support services recipient who needs those 37
services as a result of an incident or incidents in which the peer 38
support services recipient was involved while acting in his or her 39
p. 22 SB 6232
official capacity or to deal with other stress that is impacting the 1
peer support services recipient's performance of official duties; or2
(B) A nonemployee who has been designated by the first responder 3
entity or agency, local jail, statewide organization focused on co-4
response outreach, or state agency to provide emotional and moral 5
support and counseling to a peer support services recipient who needs 6
those services as a result of an incident or incidents in which the 7
peer support services recipient was involved while acting in his or 8
her official capacity. 9
(7) A sexual assault advocate may not, without the consent of the 10
victim, be examined as to any communication made between the victim 11
and the sexual assault advocate. 12
(a) For purposes of this section, "sexual assault advocate" means 13
the employee or volunteer from a community sexual assault program or 14
underserved populations provider, victim assistance unit, program, or 15
association, that provides information, medical or legal advocacy, 16
counseling, or support to victims of sexual assault, who is 17
designated by the victim to accompany the victim to the hospital or 18
other health care facility and to proceedings concerning the alleged 19
assault, including police and prosecution interviews and court 20
proceedings. 21
(b) A sexual assault advocate may disclose a confidential 22
communication without the consent of the victim if failure to 23
disclose is likely to result in a clear, imminent risk of serious 24
physical injury or death of the victim or another person. Any sexual 25
assault advocate participating in good faith in the disclosing of 26
records and communications under this section shall have immunity 27
from any liability, civil, criminal, or otherwise, that might result 28
from the action. In any proceeding, civil or criminal, arising out of 29
a disclosure under this section, the good faith of the sexual assault 30
advocate who disclosed the confidential communication shall be 31
presumed. 32
(8) A domestic violence advocate may not, without the consent of 33
the victim, be examined as to any communication between the victim 34
and the domestic violence advocate. 35
(a) For purposes of this section, "domestic violence advocate" 36
means an employee or supervised volunteer from a community -based 37
domestic violence program or human services program that provides 38
information, advocacy, counseling, crisis intervention, emergency 39
shelter, or support to victims of domestic violence and who is not 40
p. 23 SB 6232
employed by, or under the direct supervision of, a law enforcement 1
agency, a prosecutor's office, or the child protective services 2
section of the department of children, youth, and families as defined 3
in RCW 26.44.020. 4
(b) A domestic violence advocate may disclose a confidential 5
communication without the consent of the victim if failure to 6
disclose is likely to result in a clear, imminent risk of serious 7
physical injury or death of the victim or another person. This 8
section does not relieve a domestic violence advocate from the 9
requirement to report or cause to be reported an incident under RCW 10
26.44.030(1) or to disclose relevant records relating to a child as 11
required by RCW 26.44.030(15). Any domestic violence advocate 12
participating in good faith in the disclosing of communications under 13
this subsection is immune from liability, civil, criminal, or 14
otherwise, that might result from the action. In any proceeding, 15
civil or criminal, arising out of a disclosure under this subsection, 16
the good faith of the domestic violence advocate who disclosed the 17
confidential communication shall be presumed. 18
(9) ((A mental health counselor, )) An independent clinical social 19
worker((,)) or marriage and family therapist licensed under chapter 20
18.225 RCW or a mental health counselor licensed under chapter 18.--- 21
RCW (the new chapter created in section 44 of this act) may not 22
disclose, or be compelled to testify about, any information acquired 23
from persons consulting the individual in a professional capacity 24
when the information was necessary to enable the individual to render 25
professional services to those persons except: 26
(a) With the written authorization of that person or, in the case 27
of death or disability, the person's personal representative;28
(b) If the person waives the privilege by bringing charges 29
against the mental health counselor licensed under chapter ((18.225 30
RCW)) 18.--- RCW (the new chapter created in section 44 of this act);31
(c) In response to a subpoena from the secretary of health. The 32
secretary may subpoena only records related to a complaint or report 33
under RCW 18.130.050; 34
(d) As required under chapter 26.44 or 74.34 RCW or RCW 71.05.217 35
(6) or (7); or 36
(e) To any individual if the ((mental health counselor, )) 37
independent clinical social worker ((,)) or marriage and family 38
therapist licensed under chapter 18.225 RCW or a mental health 39
counselor licensed under chapter 18.--- RCW (the new chapter created 40
p. 24 SB 6232
in section 44 of this act) reasonably believes that disclosure will 1
avoid or minimize an imminent danger to the health or safety of the 2
individual or any other individual; however, there is no obligation 3
on the part of the provider to so disclose. 4
(10) An individual who acts as a sponsor providing guidance, 5
emotional support, and counseling in an individualized manner to a 6
person participating in an alcohol or drug addiction recovery 7
fellowship may not testify in any civil action or proceeding about 8
any communication made by the person participating in the addiction 9
recovery fellowship to the individual who acts as a sponsor except 10
with the written authorization of that person or, in the case of 11
death or disability, the person's personal representative.12
(11)(a) Neither a union representative nor an employee the union 13
represents or has represented shall be examined as to, or be required 14
to disclose, any communication between an employee and union 15
representative or between union representatives made in the course of 16
union representation except: 17
(i) To the extent such examination or disclosure appears 18
necessary to prevent the commission of a crime that is likely to 19
result in a clear, imminent risk of serious physical injury or death 20
of a person; 21
(ii) In actions, civil or criminal, in which the represented 22
employee is accused of a crime or assault or battery;23
(iii) In actions, civil or criminal, where a union member is a 24
party to the action, the union member may obtain a copy of any 25
statement previously given by that union member concerning the 26
subject matter of the action and may elicit testimony concerning such 27
statements. The right of the union member to obtain such statements, 28
or the union member's possession of such statements, does not render 29
them discoverable over the objection of the union member;30
(iv) In actions, regulatory, civil, or criminal, against the 31
union or its affiliated, subordinate, or parent bodies or their 32
agents; or 33
(v) When an admission of, or intent to engage in, criminal 34
conduct is revealed by the represented union member to the union 35
representative. 36
(b) The privilege created in this subsection (11) does not apply 37
to any record of communications that would otherwise be subject to 38
disclosure under chapter 42.56 RCW. 39
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(c) The privilege created in this subsection (11) may not 1
interfere with an employee's or union representative's applicable 2
statutory mandatory reporting requirements, including but not limited 3
to duties to report in chapters 26.44, 43.101, and 74.34 RCW.4
(d) For purposes of this subsection: 5
(i) "Employee" means a person represented by a certified or 6
recognized union regardless of whether the employee is a member of 7
the union. 8
(ii) "Union" means any lawful organization that has as one of its 9
primary purposes the representation of employees in their employment 10
relations with employers, including without limitation labor 11
organizations defined by 29 U.S.C. Sec. 152 (5) and 5 U.S.C. Sec. 12
7103(a)(4), representatives defined by 45 U.S.C. Sec. 151, and 13
bargaining representatives defined in RCW 41.56.030, and employee 14
organizations as defined in RCW 28B.52.020, 41.59.020, 41.80.005, 15
41.76.005, 47.64.011, and 53.18.010. 16
(iii) "Union representation" means action by a union on behalf of 17
one or more employees it represents in regard to their employment 18
relations with employers, including personnel matters, grievances, 19
labor disputes, wages, rates of pay, hours of employment, conditions 20
of work, or collective bargaining. 21
(iv) "Union representative" means a person authorized by a union 22
to act for the union in regard to union representation.23
(v) "Communication" includes any oral, written, or electronic 24
communication or document containing such communication.25
Sec. 28. RCW 13.40.162 and 2023 c 449 s 17 and 2023 c 150 s 8 26
are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:27
(1) A juvenile offender is eligible for the special sex offender 28
disposition alternative when: 29
(a) The offender is found to have committed a sex offense, other 30
than a sex offense that is also a serious violent offense as defined 31
by RCW 9.94A.030, and the offender has no history of a prior sex 32
offense; or 33
(b) The offender is found to have committed assault in the fourth 34
degree with sexual motivation, and the offender has no history of a 35
prior sex offense. 36
(2) If the court finds the offender is eligible for this 37
alternative, the court, on its own motion or the motion of the state 38
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or the respondent, may order an examination to determine whether the 1
respondent is amenable to treatment. 2
(a) The report of the examination shall include at a minimum the 3
following: 4
(i) The respondent's version of the facts and the official 5
version of the facts; 6
(ii) The respondent's offense history; 7
(iii) An assessment of problems in addition to alleged deviant 8
behaviors; 9
(iv) The respondent's social, educational, and employment 10
situation; 11
(v) Other evaluation measures used. 12
The report shall set forth the sources of the evaluator's 13
information. 14
(b) The examiner shall assess and report regarding the 15
respondent's amenability to treatment and relative risk to the 16
community. A proposed treatment plan shall be provided and shall 17
include, at a minimum: 18
(i) The frequency and type of contact between the offender and 19
therapist; 20
(ii) Specific issues to be addressed in the treatment and 21
description of planned treatment modalities; 22
(iii) Monitoring plans, including any requirements regarding 23
living conditions, lifestyle requirements, and monitoring by family 24
members, legal guardians, or others; 25
(iv) Anticipated length of treatment; and 26
(v) Recommended crime-related prohibitions. 27
(c) For good cause shown, the court on its own motion may order, 28
or on a motion by the state shall order, a second examination 29
regarding the offender's amenability to treatment. The evaluator 30
shall be selected by the party making the motion. 31
(3) After receipt of reports of the examination, the court shall 32
then consider whether the offender and the community will benefit 33
from use of this special sex offender disposition alternative and 34
consider the victim's opinion whether the offender should receive a 35
treatment disposition under this section. If the court determines 36
that this special sex offender disposition alternative is 37
appropriate, then the court shall impose a determinate disposition 38
within the standard range for the offense, or if the court concludes, 39
and enters reasons for its conclusions, that such disposition would 40
p. 27 SB 6232
cause a manifest injustice, the court shall impose a disposition 1
under option D, and the court may suspend the execution of the 2
disposition and place the offender on community supervision for at 3
least two years. 4
(4) As a condition of the suspended disposition, the court may 5
impose the conditions of community supervision and other conditions, 6
including up to 30 days of confinement and requirements that the 7
offender do any one or more of the following: 8
(a) Devote time to a specific education, employment, or 9
occupation; 10
(b) Undergo available outpatient sex offender treatment for up to 11
two years, or inpatient sex offender treatment not to exceed the 12
standard range of confinement for that offense. A community mental 13
health center may not be used for such treatment unless it has an 14
appropriate program designed for sex offender treatment. The 15
respondent shall not change sex offender treatment providers or 16
treatment conditions without first notifying the prosecutor, the 17
probation counselor, and the court, and shall not change providers 18
without court approval after a hearing if the prosecutor or probation 19
counselor object to the change; 20
(c) Remain within prescribed geographical boundaries and notify 21
the court or the probation counselor prior to any change in the 22
offender's address, educational program, or employment;23
(d) Report to the prosecutor and the probation counselor prior to 24
any change in a sex offender treatment provider. This change shall 25
have prior approval by the court; 26
(e) Report as directed to the court and a probation counselor;27
(f) Pay restitution and perform community restitution, or any 28
combination thereof; 29
(g) Make restitution to the victim for the cost of any counseling 30
reasonably related to the offense; or 31
(h) Comply with the conditions of any court-ordered probation 32
bond. 33
(5) If the court orders 24 hour, continuous monitoring of the 34
offender while on probation, the court shall include the basis for 35
this condition in its findings. 36
(6)(a) The court must order the offender not to attend the public 37
or approved private elementary, middle, or high school attended by 38
the victim or the victim's siblings. 39
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(b) The parents or legal guardians of the offender are 1
responsible for transportation or other costs associated with the 2
offender's change of school that would otherwise be paid by the 3
school district. 4
(c) The court shall send notice of the disposition and 5
restriction on attending the same school as the victim or victim's 6
siblings to the public or approved private school the juvenile will 7
attend, if known, or if unknown, to the approved private schools and 8
the public school district board of directors of the district in 9
which the juvenile resides or intends to reside. This notice must be 10
sent at the earliest possible date but not later than 10 calendar 11
days after entry of the disposition. 12
(7)(a) The sex offender treatment provider shall submit quarterly 13
reports on the respondent's progress in treatment to the court and 14
the parties. The reports shall reference the treatment plan and 15
include at a minimum the following: Dates of attendance, respondent's 16
compliance with requirements, treatment activities, the respondent's 17
relative progress in treatment, and any other material specified by 18
the court at the time of the disposition. 19
(b) At the time of the disposition, the court may set treatment 20
review hearings as the court considers appropriate.21
(c) Except as provided in this subsection, examinations and 22
treatment ordered pursuant to this subsection shall be conducted by 23
qualified professionals as described under (d) of this subsection, 24
certified sex offender treatment providers, or certified affiliate 25
sex offender treatment providers under chapter 18.155 RCW.26
(d) A sex offender therapist who examines or treats a juvenile 27
sex offender pursuant to this subsection does not have to be 28
certified by the department of health pursuant to chapter 18.155 RCW 29
if the therapist is a professional licensed under chapter 18.225 30
((or)), 18.83 ((RCW)), or 18.--- RCW (the new chapter created in 31
section 44 of this act) and the treatment employed is evidence-based 32
for sex offender treatment, or if the court finds that: (i) The 33
offender has already moved to another state or plans to move to 34
another state for reasons other than circumventing the certification 35
requirements; (ii) no certified sex offender treatment providers or 36
certified affiliate sex offender treatment providers are available 37
for treatment within a reasonable geographical distance of the 38
offender's home; and (iii) the evaluation and treatment plan comply 39
p. 29 SB 6232
with this subsection and the rules adopted by the department of 1
health. 2
(8)(a) If the offender violates any condition of the disposition 3
or the court finds that the respondent is failing to make 4
satisfactory progress in treatment, the court may revoke the 5
suspension and order execution of the disposition or the court may 6
impose a penalty of up to 30 days confinement for violating 7
conditions of the disposition. 8
(b) The court may order both execution of the disposition and up 9
to 30 days confinement for the violation of the conditions of the 10
disposition. 11
(c) The court shall give credit for any confinement time 12
previously served if that confinement was for the offense for which 13
the suspension is being revoked. 14
(9) For purposes of this section, "victim" means any person who 15
has sustained emotional, psychological, physical, or financial injury 16
to person or property as a direct result of the crime charged. 17
"Victim" may also include a known parent or guardian of a victim who 18
is a minor child unless the parent or guardian is the perpetrator of 19
the offense. 20
(10) The respondent or the parent, guardian, or other person 21
having custody of the respondent shall not be required to pay the 22
cost of any evaluation or treatment of the respondent ordered under 23
this section. 24
(11) A disposition entered under this section is not appealable 25
under RCW 13.40.230. 26
Sec. 29. RCW 18.100.050 and 2023 c 60 s 1 are each amended to 27
read as follows: 28
(1) An individual or group of individuals duly licensed or 29
otherwise legally authorized to render the same professional services 30
within this state may organize and become a shareholder or 31
shareholders of a professional corporation for pecuniary profit under 32
the provisions of Title 23B RCW for the purpose of rendering 33
professional service. One or more of the legally authorized 34
individuals shall be the incorporators of the professional 35
corporation. 36
(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, 37
registered architects and registered engineers may own stock in and 38
p. 30 SB 6232
render their individual professional services through one 1
professional service corporation. 2
(3) Licensed health care professionals, providing services to 3
enrolled participants either directly or through arrangements with a 4
health maintenance organization registered under chapter 48.46 RCW or 5
federally qualified health maintenance organization, may own stock in 6
and render their individual professional services through one 7
professional service corporation. 8
(4) Professionals may organize a nonprofit nonstock corporation 9
under this chapter and chapter 24.03A RCW to provide professional 10
services, and the provisions of this chapter relating to stock and 11
referring to Title 23B RCW shall not apply to any such corporation.12
(5)(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, 13
health care professionals who are licensed or certified pursuant to 14
chapters 18.06, 18.225, 18.22, 18.25, 18.29, 18.34, 18.35, 18.36A, 15
18.50, 18.53, 18.55, 18.57, 18.59, 18.64, 18.71, 18.71A, 18.74, 16
18.79, 18.83, 18.89, 18.108, ((and)) 18.138 ((RCW)), and 18.--- RCW 17
(the new chapter created in section 44 of this act) may own stock in 18
and render their individual professional services through one 19
professional service corporation and are to be considered, for the 20
purpose of forming a professional service corporation, as rendering 21
the "same specific professional services" or "same professional 22
services" or similar terms. 23
(b) Formation of a professional service corporation under this 24
subsection does not restrict the application of the uniform 25
disciplinary act under chapter 18.130 RCW, or applicable health care 26
professional statutes under ((Title 18 RCW )) this title , including 27
but not limited to restrictions on persons practicing a health 28
profession without being appropriately credentialed and persons 29
practicing beyond the scope of their credential. 30
Sec. 30. RCW 18.120.020 and 2024 c 362 s 9 and 2024 c 217 s 6 31
are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:32
The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter 33
unless the context clearly requires otherwise. 34
(1) "Applicant group" includes any health professional group or 35
organization, any individual, or any other interested party which 36
proposes that any health professional group not presently regulated 37
be regulated or which proposes to substantially increase the scope of 38
practice of the profession. 39
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(2) "Certificate" and "certification" mean a voluntary process by 1
which a statutory regulatory entity grants recognition to an 2
individual who (a) has met certain prerequisite qualifications 3
specified by that regulatory entity, and (b) may assume or use 4
"certified" in the title or designation to perform prescribed health 5
professional tasks. 6
(3) "Grandfather clause" means a provision in a regulatory 7
statute applicable to practitioners actively engaged in the regulated 8
health profession prior to the effective date of the regulatory 9
statute which exempts the practitioners from meeting the prerequisite 10
qualifications set forth in the regulatory statute to perform 11
prescribed occupational tasks. 12
(4) "Health professions" means and includes the following health 13
and health-related licensed or regulated professions and occupations: 14
Podiatric medicine and surgery under chapter 18.22 RCW; chiropractic 15
under chapter 18.25 RCW; dental hygiene under chapter 18.29 RCW; 16
dentistry under chapter 18.32 RCW; denturism under chapter 18.30 RCW; 17
dental anesthesia assistants under chapter 18.350 RCW; dispensing 18
opticians under chapter 18.34 RCW; hearing instruments under chapter 19
18.35 RCW; naturopaths under chapter 18.36A RCW; embalming and 20
funeral directing under chapter 18.39 RCW; midwifery under chapter 21
18.50 RCW; nursing home administration under chapter 18.52 RCW; 22
optometry under chapters 18.53 and 18.54 RCW; ocularists under 23
chapter 18.55 RCW; osteopathic medicine and surgery under chapter 24
18.57 RCW; pharmacy under chapters 18.64 and 18.64A RCW; medicine 25
under chapters 18.71 and 18.71A RCW; emergency medicine under chapter 26
18.73 RCW; physical therapy under chapter 18.74 RCW; practical nurses 27
under chapter 18.79 RCW; psychologists under chapter 18.83 RCW; 28
registered nurses under chapter 18.79 RCW; occupational therapists 29
licensed under chapter 18.59 RCW; respiratory care practitioners 30
licensed under chapter 18.89 RCW; veterinarians and veterinary 31
technicians under chapter 18.92 RCW; massage therapists under chapter 32
18.108 RCW; acupuncturists or acupuncture and Eastern medicine 33
practitioners licensed under chapter 18.06 RCW; persons registered 34
under chapter 18.19 RCW; persons licensed as ((mental health 35
counselors,)) marriage and family therapists ((,)) and social workers 36
under chapter 18.225 RCW; dietitians and nutritionists certified by 37
chapter 18.138 RCW; radiologic technicians under chapter 18.84 RCW; 38
nursing assistants registered or certified under chapter 18.88A RCW; 39
reflexologists certified under chapter 18.108 RCW; medical 40
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assistants-certified, medical assistants-hemodialysis technician, 1
medical assistants-phlebotomist, forensic phlebotomist, medical 2
assistant-EMT, and medical assistants-registered certified and 3
registered under chapter 18.360 RCW; licensed behavior analysts, 4
licensed assistant behavior analysts, and certified behavior 5
technicians under chapter 18.380 RCW; music therapists licensed under 6
chapter 18.233 RCW; dental therapists licensed under chapter 18.265 7
RCW; ((and)) anesthesiologist assistants licensed under chapter 8
18.71D RCW; and persons licensed as mental health counselors under 9
chapter 18.--- RCW (the new chapter created in section 44 of this 10
act). 11
(5) "Inspection" means the periodic examination of practitioners 12
by a state agency in order to ascertain whether the practitioners' 13
occupation is being carried out in a fashion consistent with the 14
public health, safety, and welfare. 15
(6) "Legislative committees of reference" means the standing 16
legislative committees designated by the respective rules committees 17
of the senate and house of representatives to consider proposed 18
legislation to regulate health professions not previously regulated.19
(7) "License," "licensing," and "licensure" mean permission to 20
engage in a health profession which would otherwise be unlawful in 21
the state in the absence of the permission. A license is granted to 22
those individuals who meet prerequisite qualifications to perform 23
prescribed health professional tasks and for the use of a particular 24
title. 25
(8) "Practitioner" means an individual who (a) has achieved 26
knowledge and skill by practice, and (b) is actively engaged in a 27
specified health profession. 28
(9) "Professional license" means an individual, nontransferable 29
authorization to carry on a health activity based on qualifications 30
which include: (a) Graduation from an accredited or approved program, 31
and (b) acceptable performance on a qualifying examination or series 32
of examinations. 33
(10) "Public member" means an individual who is not, and never 34
was, a member of the health profession being regulated or the spouse 35
of a member, or an individual who does not have and never has had a 36
material financial interest in either the rendering of the health 37
professional service being regulated or an activity directly related 38
to the profession being regulated. 39
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(11) "Registration" means the formal notification which, prior to 1
rendering services, a practitioner shall submit to a state agency 2
setting forth the name and address of the practitioner; the location, 3
nature and operation of the health activity to be practiced; and, if 4
required by the regulatory entity, a description of the service to be 5
provided. 6
(12) "Regulatory entity" means any board, commission, agency, 7
division, or other unit or subunit of state government which 8
regulates one or more professions, occupations, industries, 9
businesses, or other endeavors in this state. 10
(13) "State agency" includes every state office, department, 11
board, commission, regulatory entity, and agency of the state, and, 12
where provided by law, programs and activities involving less than 13
the full responsibility of a state agency. 14
Sec. 31. RCW 18.130.040 and 2025 c 360 s 4, 2025 c 66 s 1, and 15
2025 c 5 s 19 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:16
(1) This chapter applies only to the secretary and the boards and 17
commissions having jurisdiction in relation to the professions 18
licensed under the chapters specified in this section. This chapter 19
does not apply to any business or profession not licensed under the 20
chapters specified in this section. 21
(2)(a) The secretary has authority under this chapter in relation 22
to the following professions: 23
(i) Dispensing opticians licensed and designated apprentices 24
under chapter 18.34 RCW; 25
(ii) Midwives licensed under chapter 18.50 RCW;26
(iii) Ocularists licensed under chapter 18.55 RCW;27
(iv) Massage therapists and businesses licensed under chapter 28
18.108 RCW; 29
(v) Dental hygienists licensed under chapter 18.29 RCW;30
(vi) Acupuncturists or acupuncture and Eastern medicine 31
practitioners licensed under chapter 18.06 RCW; 32
(vii) Radiologic technologists certified and X-ray technicians 33
registered under chapter 18.84 RCW; 34
(viii) Respiratory care practitioners licensed under chapter 35
18.89 RCW; 36
(ix) Hypnotherapists registered, agency affiliated counselors 37
registered, certified, or licensed, and advisors and counselors 38
certified under chapter 18.19 RCW; 39
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(x) Persons licensed as ((mental health counselors, mental health 1
counselor associates, )) marriage and family therapists, marriage and 2
family therapist associates, social workers, social work associates — 3
advanced, and social work associates — independent clinical under 4
chapter 18.225 RCW; 5
(xi) Persons registered as nursing pool operators under chapter 6
18.52C RCW; 7
(xii) Dietitians and nutritionists certified under chapter 18.138 8
RCW; 9
(xiii) Substance use disorder professionals, substance use 10
disorder professional trainees, or co-occurring disorder specialists 11
certified under chapter 18.205 RCW; 12
(xiv) Sex offender treatment providers and certified affiliate 13
sex offender treatment providers certified under chapter 18.155 RCW;14
(xv) Persons licensed and certified under chapter 18.73 RCW or 15
RCW 18.71.205; 16
(xvi) Orthotists and prosthetists licensed under chapter 18.200 17
RCW; 18
(xvii) Surgical technologists registered under chapter 18.215 19
RCW; 20
(xviii) Recreational therapists under chapter 18.230 RCW;21
(xix) Animal massage therapists certified under chapter 18.240 22
RCW; 23
(xx) Athletic trainers licensed under chapter 18.250 RCW;24
(xxi) Home care aides certified under chapter 18.88B RCW;25
(xxii) Genetic counselors licensed under chapter 18.290 RCW;26
(xxiii) Reflexologists certified under chapter 18.108 RCW;27
(xxiv) Medical assistants-certified, medical assistants-28
hemodialysis technician, medical assistants-phlebotomist, forensic 29
phlebotomist, medical assistant-EMT, and medical assistants-30
registered certified and registered under chapter 18.360 RCW;31
(xxv) Behavior analysts, assistant behavior analysts, and 32
behavior technicians under chapter 18.380 RCW; 33
(xxvi) Birth doulas certified under chapter 18.47 RCW;34
(xxvii) Music therapists licensed under chapter 18.233 RCW;35
(xxviii) Behavioral health support specialists certified under 36
chapter 18.227 RCW; ((and))37
(xxix) Certified peer support specialists and certified peer 38
support specialist trainees under chapter 18.420 RCW; and39
p. 35 SB 6232
(xxx) Mental health counselors or mental health counselor 1
associates under chapter 18.--- RCW (the new chapter created in 2
section 44 of this act). 3
(b) The boards and commissions having authority under this 4
chapter are as follows: 5
(i) The podiatric medical board as established in chapter 18.22 6
RCW; 7
(ii) The chiropractic quality assurance commission as established 8
in chapter 18.25 RCW; 9
(iii) The dental quality assurance commission as established in 10
chapter 18.32 RCW governing licenses issued under chapter 18.32 RCW, 11
licenses and registrations issued under chapter 18.260 RCW, licenses 12
issued under chapter 18.265 RCW, and certifications issued under 13
chapter 18.350 RCW; 14
(iv) The board of hearing and speech as established in chapter 15
18.35 RCW; 16
(v) The board of examiners for nursing home administrators as 17
established in chapter 18.52 RCW; 18
(vi) The optometry board as established in chapter 18.54 RCW 19
governing licenses issued under chapter 18.53 RCW;20
(vii) The board of osteopathic medicine and surgery as 21
established in chapter 18.57 RCW governing licenses issued under 22
chapter 18.57 RCW; 23
(viii) The pharmacy quality assurance commission as established 24
in chapter 18.64 RCW governing licenses issued under chapters 18.64 25
and 18.64A RCW; 26
(ix) The Washington medical commission as established in chapter 27
18.71 RCW governing licenses and registrations issued under chapters 28
18.71, 18.71A, 18.71B, 18.71C, and 18.71D RCW; 29
(x) The board of physical therapy as established in chapter 18.74 30
RCW; 31
(xi) The board of occupational therapy practice as established in 32
chapter 18.59 RCW; 33
(xii) The board of nursing as established in chapter 18.79 RCW 34
governing licenses and registrations issued under that chapter and 35
under chapter 18.80 RCW, and nursing assistants registered or 36
certified or medication assistants endorsed under chapter 18.88A RCW;37
(xiii) The examining board of psychology and its disciplinary 38
committee as established in chapter 18.83 RCW; 39
p. 36 SB 6232
(xiv) The veterinary board of governors as established in chapter 1
18.92 RCW; 2
(xv) The board of naturopathy established in chapter 18.36A RCW, 3
governing licenses and certifications issued under that chapter; 4
((and))5
(xvi) The board of denturists established in chapter 18.30 RCW; 6
and7
(xvii) The board of licensed mental health counselors established 8
in chapter 18.--- RCW (the new chapter created in section 44 of this 9
act). 10
(3) In addition to the authority to discipline license holders, 11
the disciplining authority has the authority to grant or deny 12
licenses. The disciplining authority may also grant a license subject 13
to conditions, which must be in compliance with chapter 18.415 RCW.14
(4) All disciplining authorities shall adopt procedures to ensure 15
substantially consistent application of this chapter, the uniform 16
disciplinary act, among the disciplining authorities listed in 17
subsection (2) of this section. 18
Sec. 32. RCW 18.205.090 and 2021 c 165 s 2 are each amended to 19
read as follows: 20
(1) The secretary shall issue a certificate to any applicant who 21
demonstrates to the secretary's satisfaction that the following 22
requirements have been met: 23
(a) Completion of: 24
(i) An educational program approved by the secretary;25
(ii) An apprenticeship program reviewed by the substance use 26
disorder certification advisory committee, approved by the secretary, 27
and registered and approved under chapter 49.04 RCW; or28
(iii) Alternate training that meets established criteria;29
(b) Successful completion of an approved examination, based on 30
core competencies of substance use disorder counseling; and31
(c) Successful completion of an experience requirement that 32
establishes fewer hours of experience for applicants with higher 33
levels of relevant education. In meeting any experience requirement 34
established under this subsection, the secretary may not require more 35
than one thousand five hundred hours of experience in substance use 36
disorder counseling for applicants who are licensed under chapter 37
18.83 RCW or under chapter 18.79 RCW as advanced practice registered 38
nurse ((practitioners)). 39
p. 37 SB 6232
(2) The secretary shall establish by rule what constitutes 1
adequate proof of meeting the criteria. 2
(3) Applicants are subject to the grounds for denial of a 3
certificate or issuance of a conditional certificate under chapter 4
18.130 RCW. 5
(4) Certified substance use disorder professionals shall not be 6
required to be registered under chapter 18.19 RCW ((or)), licensed 7
under chapter 18.225 ((RCW)), or chapter 18.--- RCW (the new chapter 8
created in section 44 of this act). 9
(5) As of July 28, 2019, a person certified under this chapter 10
holding the title of chemical dependency professional is considered 11
to hold the title of substance use disorder professional until such 12
time as the person's present certification expires or is renewed.13
Sec. 33. RCW 18.205.105 and 2023 c 425 s 24 are each amended to 14
read as follows: 15
(1) The department shall develop training standards for the 16
creation of a co-occurring disorder specialist enhancement which may 17
be added to the license or registration held by one of the following:18
(a) Psychologists licensed under chapter 18.83 RCW;19
(b) Independent clinical social workers licensed under chapter 20
18.225 RCW; 21
(c) Marriage and family therapists licensed under chapter 18.225 22
RCW; 23
(d) Mental health counselors licensed under chapter ((18.225 24
RCW)) 18.--- RCW (the new chapter created in section 44 of this act) ; 25
and 26
(e) An agency affiliated counselor licensed under chapter 18.19 27
RCW. 28
(2) To obtain the co-occurring disorder specialist enhancement, 29
the applicant must meet training standards and experience 30
requirements. The training standards must be designed with 31
consideration of the practices of the health professions listed in 32
subsection (1) of this section and consisting of sixty hours of 33
instruction consisting of (a) thirty hours in understanding the 34
disease pattern of addiction and the pharmacology of alcohol and 35
other drugs; and (b) thirty hours in understanding addiction 36
placement, continuing care, and discharge criteria, including the 37
American society of addiction medicine criteria; treatment planning 38
p. 38 SB 6232
specific to substance abuse; relapse prevention; and confidentiality 1
issues specific to substance use disorder treatment.2
(3) In developing the training standards, the department shall 3
consult with the examining board of psychology established in chapter 4
18.83 RCW, the Washington state ((mental health counselors, )) 5
marriage and family therapists ((,)) and social workers advisory 6
committee established in chapter 18.225 RCW, the substance use 7
disorder certification advisory committee established in chapter 8
18.205 RCW, and educational institutions in Washington state that 9
train psychologists, marriage and family therapists, mental health 10
counselors, independent clinical social workers, and substance use 11
disorder professionals. 12
(4) The department shall approve educational programs that meet 13
the training standards, and must not limit its approval to 14
university-based courses. 15
(5) The secretary shall issue a co-occurring disorder specialist 16
enhancement to any applicant who demonstrates to the secretary's 17
satisfaction that the following requirements have been met:18
(a) Completion of the training standards; 19
(b) Successful completion of an approved examination based on 20
core competencies of substance use disorder counseling;21
(c) Successful completion of an experience requirement of:22
(i) Eighty hours of supervised experience for an applicant listed 23
under subsection (1) of this section with fewer than five years of 24
experience; or 25
(ii) Forty hours of supervised experience for an applicant listed 26
under subsection (1) of this section with five or more years of 27
experience; and 28
(d) Payment of any fees that may be established by the 29
department. 30
(6) An applicant for the co-occurring disorder specialist 31
enhancement may receive supervised experience from any person who 32
meets or exceeds the requirements of a certified substance use 33
disorder professional in the state of Washington and who would be 34
eligible to take the examination required for substance use disorder 35
professional certification. 36
(7) A person who has obtained a co-occurring disorder specialist 37
enhancement may provide substance use disorder counseling services 38
which are equal in scope with those provided by substance use 39
p. 39 SB 6232
disorder professionals under this chapter, subject to the following 1
limitations: 2
(a) A co-occurring disorder specialist may only provide substance 3
use disorder counseling services if the co-occurring disorder 4
specialist is employed by: 5
(i) An agency that provides counseling services;6
(ii) A federally qualified health center; or 7
(iii) A hospital; 8
(b) Following an initial intake or assessment, a co-occurring 9
disorder specialist may provide substance use disorder treatment only 10
to clients diagnosed with a substance use disorder and a mental 11
health disorder; 12
(c) Prior to providing substance use disorder treatment to a 13
client assessed to be in need of 2.1 or higher level of care 14
according to American society of addiction medicine criteria, a co-15
occurring disorder specialist must make a reasonable effort to refer 16
and connect the client to the appropriate care setting, as indicated 17
by the client's American society of addiction medicine level of care; 18
and 19
(d) A co-occurring disorder specialist must comply with rules 20
promulgated by the department under subsection (11) of this section.21
(8) The secretary shall establish by rule what constitutes 22
adequate proof of meeting the criteria. 23
(9) Applicants are subject to the grounds for denial of a 24
certificate or issuance of a conditional certificate under chapter 25
18.130 RCW. 26
(10) The department may adopt a fee to defray the cost of 27
regulatory activities related to the issuance of co-occurring 28
disorder specialist enhancements and any related disciplinary 29
activities. 30
(11) The department shall adopt rules regarding the role of co-31
occurring disorder specialists across the American society of 32
addiction medicine continuum of care. 33
(12) Any increase in fees necessary to cover the cost of 34
regulating co-occurring disorder specialists who receive an 35
enhancement under this section must be borne by persons licensed as 36
psychologists under chapter 18.83 RCW, independent clinical social 37
workers under chapter 18.225 RCW, marriage and family therapists 38
under chapter 18.225 RCW, or mental health counselors under chapter 39
((18.225 RCW)) 18.--- RCW (the new chapter created in section 44 of 40
p. 40 SB 6232
this act) . The cost of regulating co-occurring disorder specialists 1
who receive an enhancement under this section may not be borne by 2
substance use disorder professionals or substance use disorder 3
professional trainees certified under this chapter and may not be 4
included in the calculation of fees for substance use disorder 5
professionals or substance use disorder professional trainees 6
certified under this chapter. 7
Sec. 34. RCW 19.410.010 and 2025 c 58 s 5085 are each amended to 8
read as follows: 9
(1) Subject to amounts appropriated for this purpose, the 10
psilocybin therapy services pilot program is established within, and 11
administered by, the University of Washington department of 12
psychiatry and behavioral sciences. No later than January 1, 2025, 13
the University of Washington department of psychiatry and behavioral 14
sciences must implement this section. 15
(2) The pilot program must: 16
(a) Offer psilocybin therapy services through pathways approved 17
by the federal food and drug administration, to populations including 18
first responders and veterans who are: 19
(i) 21 years of age or older; and 20
(ii) Experiencing posttraumatic stress disorder, mood disorders, 21
or substance use disorders; 22
(b) Offer psilocybin therapy services facilitated by:23
(i) An advanced social worker ((,)) or independent clinical social 24
worker((, or mental health counselor )) licensed under chapter 18.225 25
RCW; 26
(ii) A physician licensed under chapter 18.71 RCW; ((or))27
(iii) A psychiatric advanced practice registered nurse licensed 28
under chapter 18.79 RCW as defined in RCW 71.05.020; or29
(iv) A mental health counselor licensed under chapter 18.--- RCW 30
(the new chapter created in section 44 of this act);31
(c) Ensure psilocybin therapy services are safe, accessible, and 32
affordable; 33
(d) Require an initial assessment to understand participant goals 34
and expectations, and assess the participant's history for any 35
concerns that require further intervention or information before 36
receiving psilocybin therapy services, and an integration session 37
after receiving psilocybin therapy services; and 38
p. 41 SB 6232
(e) Use outreach and engagement strategies to include 1
participants from communities or demographic groups that are more 2
likely to be historically marginalized and less likely to be included 3
in research and clinical trials represented by race, sex, sexual 4
orientation, socioeconomic status, age, or geographic location.5
Sec. 35. RCW 25.05.510 and 2001 c 251 s 31 are each amended to 6
read as follows: 7
(1) A person or group of persons licensed or otherwise legally 8
authorized to render professional services, as defined in RCW 9
18.100.030, within this state may organize and become a member or 10
members of a limited liability partnership under the provisions of 11
this chapter for the purposes of rendering professional service. 12
Nothing in this section prohibits a person duly licensed or otherwise 13
legally authorized to render professional services in any 14
jurisdiction other than this state from becoming a member of a 15
limited liability partnership organized for the purpose of rendering 16
the same professional services. Nothing in this section prohibits a 17
limited liability partnership from rendering professional services 18
outside this state through individuals who are not duly licensed or 19
otherwise legally authorized to render such professional services 20
within this state. 21
(2)(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, 22
health care professionals who are licensed or certified pursuant to 23
chapters 18.06, 18.225, 18.22, 18.25, 18.29, 18.34, 18.35, 18.36A, 24
18.50, 18.53, 18.55, 18.64, 18.79, 18.83, 18.89, 18.108, ((and)) 25
18.138 ((RCW)), and 18.--- RCW (the new chapter created in section 44 26
of this act) may join and render their individual professional 27
services through one limited liability partnership and are to be 28
considered, for the purpose of forming a limited liability 29
partnership, as rendering the "same specific professional services" 30
or "same professional services" or similar terms. 31
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, health 32
care professionals who are licensed pursuant to chapters 18.57 and 33
18.71 RCW may join and render their individual professional services 34
through one limited liability partnership and are to be considered, 35
for the purpose of forming a limited liability partnership, as 36
rendering the "same specific professional services" or "same 37
professional services" or similar terms. 38
p. 42 SB 6232
(c) Formation of a limited liability partnership under this 1
subsection does not restrict the application of the uniform 2
disciplinary act under chapter 18.130 RCW, or any applicable health 3
care professional statutes under Title 18 RCW, including but not 4
limited to restrictions on persons practicing a health profession 5
without being appropriately credentialed and persons practicing 6
beyond the scope of their credential. 7
Sec. 36. RCW 43.70.110 and 2025 c 19 s 1 are each amended to 8
read as follows: 9
(1) The secretary shall charge fees to the licensee for obtaining 10
a license. Physicians regulated pursuant to chapter 18.71 RCW who 11
reside and practice in Washington and obtain or renew a retired 12
active license are exempt from such fees. Municipal corporations 13
providing emergency medical care and transportation services pursuant 14
to chapter 18.73 RCW shall be exempt from such fees, provided that 15
such other emergency services shall only be charged for their pro 16
rata share of the cost of licensure and inspection, if appropriate. 17
The secretary may charge different fees for registered nurses 18
licensed under chapter 18.79 RCW, licensed practical nurses licensed 19
under chapter 18.79 RCW, and nurses who hold a valid multistate 20
license issued by the state of Washington under chapter 18.80 RCW. 21
The secretary may waive the fees when, in the discretion of the 22
secretary, the fees would not be in the best interest of public 23
health and safety, or when the fees would be to the financial 24
disadvantage of the state. 25
(2) Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, fees 26
charged shall be based on, but shall not exceed, the cost to the 27
department for the licensure of the activity or class of activities 28
and may include costs of necessary inspection. 29
(3) License fees shall include amounts in addition to the cost of 30
licensure activities in the following circumstances:31
(a) For registered nurses and licensed practical nurses licensed 32
under chapter 18.79 RCW, and for nurses who hold a valid multistate 33
license issued by the state of Washington under chapter 18.80 RCW, 34
support of a central nursing resource center as provided in RCW 35
18.79.202; 36
(b) For all health care providers licensed under RCW 18.130.040, 37
the cost of regulatory activities for retired volunteer medical 38
worker licensees as provided in RCW 18.130.360; and39
p. 43 SB 6232
(c) For physicians licensed under chapter 18.71 RCW, physician 1
assistants licensed under chapter 18.71A RCW, osteopathic physicians 2
licensed under chapter 18.57 RCW, naturopaths licensed under chapter 3
18.36A RCW, podiatrists licensed under chapter 18.22 RCW, 4
chiropractors licensed under chapter 18.25 RCW, psychologists and 5
psychological associates licensed under chapter 18.83 RCW, registered 6
nurses and licensed practical nurses licensed under chapter 18.79 7
RCW, nurses who hold a valid multistate license issued by the state 8
of Washington under chapter 18.80 RCW, optometrists licensed under 9
chapter 18.53 RCW, mental health counselors and mental health 10
counselor associates licensed under chapter ((18.225 RCW)) 18.--- RCW 11
(the new chapter created in section 44 of this act) , massage 12
therapists licensed under chapter 18.108 RCW, advanced social workers 13
licensed under chapter 18.225 RCW, independent clinical social 14
workers and independent clinical social worker associates licensed 15
under chapter 18.225 RCW, midwives licensed under chapter 18.50 RCW, 16
marriage and family therapists and marriage and family therapist 17
associates licensed under chapter 18.225 RCW, occupational therapists 18
and occupational therapy assistants licensed under chapter 18.59 RCW, 19
dietitians and nutritionists certified under chapter 18.138 RCW, 20
speech-language pathologists licensed under chapter 18.35 RCW, 21
acupuncturists or acupuncture and Eastern medicine practitioners 22
licensed under chapter 18.06 RCW, and veterinarians and veterinary 23
technicians licensed under chapter 18.92 RCW, the license fees shall 24
include up to an additional twenty-five dollars to be transferred by 25
the department to the University of Washington for the purposes of 26
RCW 43.70.112. 27
(4) Department of health advisory committees may review fees 28
established by the secretary for licenses and comment upon the 29
appropriateness of the level of such fees. 30
Sec. 37. RCW 43.70.442 and 2025 c 58 s 5094 are each amended to 31
read as follows: 32
(1)(a) Each of the following professionals certified or licensed 33
under Title 18 RCW shall, at least once every six years, complete 34
training in suicide assessment, treatment, and management that is 35
approved, in rule, by the relevant disciplining authority:36
(i) An adviser or counselor certified under chapter 18.19 RCW;37
(ii) A substance use disorder professional licensed under chapter 38
18.205 RCW; 39
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(iii) A marriage and family therapist licensed under chapter 1
18.225 RCW; 2
(iv) A mental health counselor licensed under chapter ((18.225 3
RCW)) 18.--- RCW (the new chapter created in section 44 of this act);4
(v) An occupational therapy practitioner licensed under chapter 5
18.59 RCW; 6
(vi) A psychologist licensed under chapter 18.83 RCW;7
(vii) An advanced social worker or independent clinical social 8
worker licensed under chapter 18.225 RCW; and 9
(viii) A social worker associate — advanced or social worker 10
associate— independent clinical licensed under chapter 18.225 RCW.11
(b) The requirements in (a) of this subsection apply to a person 12
holding a retired active license for one of the professions in (a) of 13
this subsection. 14
(c) The training required by this subsection must be at least six 15
hours in length, unless a disciplining authority has determined, 16
under subsection (10)(b) of this section, that training that includes 17
only screening and referral elements is appropriate for the 18
profession in question, in which case the training must be at least 19
three hours in length. 20
(d) Beginning July 1, 2017, the training required by this 21
subsection must be on the model list developed under subsection (6) 22
of this section. Nothing in this subsection (1)(d) affects the 23
validity of training completed prior to July 1, 2017.24
(2)(a) Except as provided in (b) of this subsection:25
(i) A professional listed in subsection (1)(a) of this section 26
must complete the first training required by this section by the end 27
of the first full continuing education reporting period after January 28
1, 2014, or during the first full continuing education reporting 29
period after initial licensure or certification, whichever occurs 30
later. 31
(ii) Beginning July 1, 2021, the second training for a 32
psychologist, a marriage and family therapist, a mental health 33
counselor, an advanced social worker, an independent clinical social 34
worker, a social worker associate-advanced, or a social worker 35
associate-independent clinical must be either: (A) An advanced 36
training focused on suicide management, suicide care protocols, or 37
effective treatments; or (B) a training in a treatment modality shown 38
to be effective in working with people who are suicidal, including 39
dialectical behavior therapy, collaborative assessment and management 40
p. 45 SB 6232
of suicide risk, or cognitive behavior therapy-suicide prevention. If 1
a professional subject to the requirements of this subsection has 2
already completed the professional's second training prior to July 1, 3
2021, the professional's next training must comply with this 4
subsection. This subsection (2)(a)(ii) does not apply if the licensee 5
demonstrates that the training required by this subsection (2)(a)(ii) 6
is not reasonably available. 7
(b)(i) A professional listed in subsection (1)(a) of this section 8
applying for initial licensure may delay completion of the first 9
training required by this section for six years after initial 10
licensure if he or she can demonstrate successful completion of the 11
training required in subsection (1) of this section no more than six 12
years prior to the application for initial licensure.13
(ii) Beginning July 1, 2021, a psychologist, a marriage and 14
family therapist, a mental health counselor, an advanced social 15
worker, an independent clinical social worker, a social worker 16
associate-advanced, or a social worker associate-independent clinical 17
exempt from his or her first training under (b)(i) of this subsection 18
must comply with the requirements of (a)(ii) of this subsection for 19
his or her first training after initial licensure. If a professional 20
subject to the requirements of this subsection has already completed 21
the professional's first training after initial licensure, the 22
professional's next training must comply with this subsection 23
(2)(b)(ii). This subsection (2)(b)(ii) does not apply if the licensee 24
demonstrates that the training required by this subsection (2)(b)(ii) 25
is not reasonably available. 26
(3) The hours spent completing training in suicide assessment, 27
treatment, and management under this section count toward meeting any 28
applicable continuing education or continuing competency requirements 29
for each profession. 30
(4)(a) A disciplining authority may, by rule, specify minimum 31
training and experience that is sufficient to exempt an individual 32
professional from the training requirements in subsections (1) and 33
(5) of this section. Nothing in this subsection (4)(a) allows a 34
disciplining authority to provide blanket exemptions to broad 35
categories or specialties within a profession. 36
(b) A disciplining authority may exempt a professional from the 37
training requirements of subsections (1) and (5) of this section if 38
the professional has only brief or limited patient contact.39
p. 46 SB 6232
(5)(a) Each of the following professionals credentialed under 1
Title 18 RCW shall complete a one-time training in suicide 2
assessment, treatment, and management that is approved by the 3
relevant disciplining authority: 4
(i) A chiropractor licensed under chapter 18.25 RCW;5
(ii) A naturopath licensed under chapter 18.36A RCW;6
(iii) A licensed practical nurse, registered nurse, or advanced 7
practice registered nurse, other than a certified registered nurse 8
anesthetist, licensed under chapter 18.79 RCW; 9
(iv) An osteopathic physician and surgeon licensed under chapter 10
18.57 RCW, other than a holder of a postgraduate osteopathic medicine 11
and surgery license issued under RCW 18.57.035; 12
(v) A physical therapist or physical therapist assistant licensed 13
under chapter 18.74 RCW; 14
(vi) A physician licensed under chapter 18.71 RCW, other than a 15
resident holding a limited license issued under RCW 18.71.095(3);16
(vii) A physician assistant licensed under chapter 18.71A RCW;17
(viii) A pharmacist licensed under chapter 18.64 RCW;18
(ix) A dentist licensed under chapter 18.32 RCW;19
(x) A dental hygienist licensed under chapter 18.29 RCW;20
(xi) An athletic trainer licensed under chapter 18.250 RCW;21
(xii) An optometrist licensed under chapter 18.53 RCW;22
(xiii) An acupuncture and Eastern medicine practitioner licensed 23
under chapter 18.06 RCW; 24
(xiv) A dental therapist licensed under chapter 18.265 RCW; and25
(xv) A person holding a retired active license for one of the 26
professions listed in (a)(i) through (xiv) of this subsection.27
(b)(i) A professional listed in (a)(i) through (vii) of this 28
subsection or a person holding a retired active license for one of 29
the professions listed in (a)(i) through (vii) of this subsection 30
must complete the one-time training by the end of the first full 31
continuing education reporting period after January 1, 2016, or 32
during the first full continuing education reporting period after 33
initial licensure, whichever is later. Training completed between 34
June 12, 2014, and January 1, 2016, that meets the requirements of 35
this section, other than the timing requirements of this subsection 36
(5)(b), must be accepted by the disciplining authority as meeting the 37
one-time training requirement of this subsection (5).38
(ii) A licensed pharmacist or a person holding a retired active 39
pharmacist license must complete the one-time training by the end of 40
p. 47 SB 6232
the first full continuing education reporting period after January 1, 1
2017, or during the first full continuing education reporting period 2
after initial licensure, whichever is later. 3
(iii) A licensed dentist, a licensed dental hygienist, or a 4
person holding a retired active license as a dentist shall complete 5
the one-time training by the end of the full continuing education 6
reporting period after August 1, 2020, or during the first full 7
continuing education reporting period after initial licensure, 8
whichever is later. Training completed between July 23, 2017, and 9
August 1, 2020, that meets the requirements of this section, other 10
than the timing requirements of this subsection (5)(b)(iii), must be 11
accepted by the disciplining authority as meeting the one-time 12
training requirement of this subsection (5). 13
(iv) A licensed optometrist or a licensed acupuncture and Eastern 14
medicine practitioner, or a person holding a retired active license 15
as an optometrist or an acupuncture and Eastern medicine 16
practitioner, shall complete the one-time training by the end of the 17
full continuing education reporting period after August 1, 2021, or 18
during the first full continuing education reporting period after 19
initial licensure, whichever is later. Training completed between 20
August 1, 2020, and August 1, 2021, that meets the requirements of 21
this section, other than the timing requirements of this subsection 22
(5)(b)(iv), must be accepted by the disciplining authority as meeting 23
the one-time training requirement of this subsection (5).24
(c) The training required by this subsection must be at least six 25
hours in length, unless a disciplining authority has determined, 26
under subsection (10)(b) of this section, that training that includes 27
only screening and referral elements is appropriate for the 28
profession in question, in which case the training must be at least 29
three hours in length. 30
(d) Beginning July 1, 2017, the training required by this 31
subsection must be on the model list developed under subsection (6) 32
of this section. Nothing in this subsection (5)(d) affects the 33
validity of training completed prior to July 1, 2017.34
(6)(a) The secretary and the disciplining authorities shall work 35
collaboratively to develop a model list of training programs in 36
suicide assessment, treatment, and management. Beginning July 1, 37
2021, for purposes of subsection (2)(a)(ii) of this section, the 38
model list must include advanced training and training in treatment 39
p. 48 SB 6232
modalities shown to be effective in working with people who are 1
suicidal. 2
(b) The secretary and the disciplining authorities shall update 3
the list at least once every two years. 4
(c) By June 30, 2016, the department shall adopt rules 5
establishing minimum standards for the training programs included on 6
the model list. The minimum standards must require that six-hour 7
trainings include content specific to veterans and the assessment of 8
issues related to imminent harm via lethal means or self-injurious 9
behaviors and that three-hour trainings for pharmacists or dentists 10
include content related to the assessment of issues related to 11
imminent harm via lethal means. By July 1, 2024, the minimum 12
standards must be updated to require that both the six-hour and 13
three-hour trainings include content specific to the availability of 14
and the services offered by the 988 crisis hotline and the behavioral 15
health crisis response and suicide prevention system and best 16
practices for assisting persons with accessing the 988 crisis hotline 17
and the system. Beginning September 1, 2024, trainings submitted to 18
the department for review and approval must include the updated 19
information in the minimum standards for the model list as well as 20
all subsequent submissions. When adopting the rules required under 21
this subsection (6)(c), the department shall: 22
(i) Consult with the affected disciplining authorities, public 23
and private institutions of higher education, educators, experts in 24
suicide assessment, treatment, and management, the Washington 25
department of veterans affairs, and affected professional 26
associations; and 27
(ii) Consider standards related to the best practices registry of 28
the American foundation for suicide prevention and the suicide 29
prevention resource center. 30
(d) Beginning January 1, 2017: 31
(i) The model list must include only trainings that meet the 32
minimum standards established in the rules adopted under (c) of this 33
subsection and any three-hour trainings that met the requirements of 34
this section on or before July 24, 2015; 35
(ii) The model list must include six-hour trainings in suicide 36
assessment, treatment, and management, and three-hour trainings that 37
include only screening and referral elements; and 38
(iii) A person or entity providing the training required in this 39
section may petition the department for inclusion on the model list. 40
p. 49 SB 6232
The department shall add the training to the list only if the 1
department determines that the training meets the minimum standards 2
established in the rules adopted under (c) of this subsection.3
(e) By January 1, 2021, the department shall adopt minimum 4
standards for advanced training and training in treatment modalities 5
shown to be effective in working with people who are suicidal. 6
Beginning July 1, 2021, all such training on the model list must meet 7
the minimum standards. When adopting the minimum standards, the 8
department must consult with the affected disciplining authorities, 9
public and private institutions of higher education, educators, 10
experts in suicide assessment, treatment, and management, the 11
Washington department of veterans affairs, and affected professional 12
associations. 13
(7) The department shall provide the health profession training 14
standards created in this section to the professional educator 15
standards board as a model in meeting the requirements of RCW 16
28A.410.226 and provide technical assistance, as requested, in the 17
review and evaluation of educator training programs. The educator 18
training programs approved by the professional educator standards 19
board may be included in the department's model list.20
(8) Nothing in this section may be interpreted to expand or limit 21
the scope of practice of any profession regulated under chapter 22
18.130 RCW. 23
(9) The secretary and the disciplining authorities affected by 24
this section shall adopt any rules necessary to implement this 25
section. 26
(10) For purposes of this section: 27
(a) "Disciplining authority" has the same meaning as in RCW 28
18.130.020. 29
(b) "Training in suicide assessment, treatment, and management" 30
means empirically supported training approved by the appropriate 31
disciplining authority that contains the following elements: Suicide 32
assessment, including screening and referral, suicide treatment, and 33
suicide management. However, the disciplining authority may approve 34
training that includes only screening and referral elements if 35
appropriate for the profession in question based on the profession's 36
scope of practice. The board of occupational therapy may also approve 37
training that includes only screening and referral elements if 38
appropriate for occupational therapy practitioners based on practice 39
setting. 40
p. 50 SB 6232
(11) A state or local government employee is exempt from the 1
requirements of this section if he or she receives a total of at 2
least six hours of training in suicide assessment, treatment, and 3
management from his or her employer every six years. For purposes of 4
this subsection, the training may be provided in one six -hour block 5
or may be spread among shorter training sessions at the employer's 6
discretion. 7
(12) An employee of a community mental health agency licensed 8
under chapter 71.24 RCW or a chemical dependency program certified 9
under chapter 71.24 RCW is exempt from the requirements of this 10
section if he or she receives a total of at least six hours of 11
training in suicide assessment, treatment, and management from his or 12
her employer every six years. For purposes of this subsection, the 13
training may be provided in one six-hour block or may be spread among 14
shorter training sessions at the employer's discretion.15
Sec. 38. RCW 43.70.903 and 2023 c 425 s 5 are each amended to 16
read as follows: 17
(1) The department, in consultation with the workforce training 18
and education coordinating board and the examining board of 19
psychology, shall examine licensure requirements for the following 20
professions to identify changes to statutes and rules that would 21
remove barriers to entering and remaining in the health care 22
workforce and to streamline and shorten the credentialing process:23
(a) Advanced social workers and independent clinical social 24
workers licensed under chapter 18.225 RCW; 25
(b) Marriage and family therapists licensed under chapter 18.225 26
RCW; 27
(c) Mental health counselors licensed under chapter ((18.225 28
RCW)) 18.--- RCW (the new chapter created in section 44 of this act);29
(d) Substance use disorder professionals certified under chapter 30
18.205 RCW; and 31
(e) Psychologists licensed under chapter 18.83 RCW.32
(2) The licensure requirements to be examined by the department 33
shall include examinations, continuing education requirements, 34
administrative requirements for license application and renewal, 35
English language proficiency requirements, and supervised experience 36
requirements, including supervisor requirements and costs associated 37
with completing supervised experience requirements.38
p. 51 SB 6232
(3) When conducting the review required in subsection (1) of this 1
section, the department shall at a minimum consider the following:2
(a) The availability of peer-reviewed research and other 3
evidence, including requirements in other states, indicating the 4
necessity of specific licensure requirements for ensuring that 5
behavioral health professionals are prepared to practice with 6
reasonable skill and safety; 7
(b) Changes that would facilitate licensure of qualified, out-of-8
state and international applicants to promote reciprocity, including 9
the adoption of applicable interstate compacts; 10
(c) Changes that would promote greater consistency across 11
licensure requirements for professions licensed under chapter s 18.225 12
((RCW)) and 18.--- RCW (the new chapter created in section 44 of this 13
act) and allow for applicants' prior professional experience within 14
relevant fields to be counted towards supervised experience 15
requirements established under chapter s 18.225 ((RCW)) and 18.--- RCW 16
(the new chapter created in section 44 of this act) , including the 17
extent to which an applicant may use prior professional experience 18
gained before graduation from a master's or doctoral level 19
educational program to satisfy the applicant's supervised experience 20
requirement; 21
(d) Technical assistance programs, such as navigators or 22
dedicated customer service lines, to facilitate the completion of 23
licensing applications; 24
(e) In consultation with the examining board of psychology and a 25
statewide organization representing licensed psychologists, the 26
creation of an associate-level license for psychologists;27
(f) Whether agency affiliated counselors should be allowed to 28
practice in federally qualified health centers; and29
(g) Any rules that pose excessive administrative requirements for 30
application or renewal or that place a disproportionate burden on 31
applicants from disadvantaged communities. 32
(4) By November 1, 2023, the department shall provide a progress 33
report and initial findings to the appropriate committees of the 34
legislature on actions and recommendations to remove licensing 35
barriers and improve credentialing time frames. 36
(5) By November 1, 2024, the department shall provide a final 37
report to the appropriate committees of the legislature on actions 38
and recommendations to remove licensing barriers and improve 39
credentialing time frames. 40
p. 52 SB 6232
Sec. 39. RCW 48.43.087 and 2025 c 58 s 5050 are each amended to 1
read as follows: 2
(1) For purposes of this section: 3
(a) "Health carrier" includes disability insurers regulated under 4
chapter 48.20 or 48.21 RCW, health care services contractors 5
regulated under chapter 48.44 RCW, plans operating under the health 6
care authority under chapter 41.05 RCW, the basic health plan 7
operating under chapter 70.47 RCW, the state health insurance pool 8
operating under chapter 48.41 RCW, insuring entities regulated under 9
this chapter, and health maintenance organizations regulated under 10
chapter 48.46 RCW. 11
(b) "Intermediary" means a person duly authorized to negotiate 12
and execute provider contracts with health carriers on behalf of 13
mental health care practitioners. 14
(c) Consistent with their lawful scopes of practice, "mental 15
health care practitioners" includes only the following: Any generally 16
recognized medical specialty of practitioners licensed under chapter 17
18.57 or 18.71 RCW who provide mental health services, advanced 18
practice psychiatric nurses as authorized by the state board of 19
nursing under chapter 18.79 RCW, psychologists licensed under chapter 20
18.83 RCW, ((and mental health counselors, )) marriage and family 21
therapists((,)) and social workers licensed under chapter 18.225 RCW, 22
and mental health counselors licensed under chapter 18.--- RCW (the 23
new chapter created in section 44 of this act). 24
(d) "Mental health services" means outpatient services.25
(2) Consistent with federal and state law and rule, no contract 26
between a mental health care practitioner and an intermediary or 27
between a mental health care practitioner and a health carrier that 28
is written, amended, or renewed after June 6, 1996, may contain a 29
provision prohibiting a practitioner and an enrollee from agreeing to 30
contract for services solely at the expense of the enrollee as 31
follows: 32
(a) On the exhaustion of the enrollee's mental health care 33
coverage; 34
(b) During an appeal or an adverse certification process;35
(c) When an enrollee's condition is excluded from coverage; or36
(d) For any other clinically appropriate reason at any time.37
(3) If a mental health care practitioner provides services to an 38
enrollee during an appeal or adverse certification process, the 39
practitioner must provide to the enrollee written notification that 40
p. 53 SB 6232
the enrollee is responsible for payment of these services, unless the 1
health carrier elects to pay for services provided.2
(4) This section does not apply to a mental health care 3
practitioner who is employed full time on the staff of a health 4
carrier. 5
Sec. 40. RCW 49.44.220 and 2022 c 11 s 1 are each amended to 6
read as follows: 7
(1)(a) It is unlawful for an employer to obtain individually 8
identifiable information regarding an employee's participation in an 9
employee assistance program. Individually identifiable information 10
gathered in the process of conducting an employee assistance program 11
must be kept confidential. 12
(b) Subsection (1)(a) of this section does not apply to:13
(i) Authorized disclosures under RCW 41.04.730;14
(ii) Disclosures to an employer regarding an employee's 15
attendance in an employee assistance program, which the employee was 16
required to attend as a condition of continued employment; and17
(((ii) [(iii)])) (iii) Disclosures that are: 18
(A) Made to prevent or lessen a perceived threat to the health or 19
safety of an individual or the public; or 20
(B) Permitted or required under RCW 18.225.105, 70.02.050, ((or)) 21
71.05.120, or section 9 of this act. 22
(2) An employee's participation or nonparticipation in an 23
employee assistance program must not be a factor in a decision 24
affecting an employee's job security, promotional opportunities, 25
corrective or disciplinary action, or other employment rights.26
Sec. 41. RCW 70.02.180 and 2001 c 251 s 34 are each amended to 27
read as follows: 28
((Mental health counselors, marriage )) Marriage and family 29
therapists((,)) and social workers licensed under chapter 18.225 RCW 30
and mental health counselors licensed under chapter 18.--- RCW (the 31
new chapter created in section 44 of this act) are subject to this 32
chapter. 33
Sec. 42. RCW 71.24.025 and 2025 c 360 s 17 and 2025 c 346 s 2 34
are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:35
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in 36
this section apply throughout this chapter. 37
p. 54 SB 6232
(1) "23-hour crisis relief center" means a community-based 1
facility or portion of a facility which is licensed or certified by 2
the department of health and open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 3
offering access to mental health and substance use care for no more 4
than 23 hours and 59 minutes at a time per patient, and which accepts 5
all behavioral health crisis walk-ins drop-offs from first 6
responders, and individuals referred through the 988 system 7
regardless of behavioral health acuity, and meets the requirements 8
under RCW 71.24.916. 9
(2) "988 crisis hotline" means the universal telephone number 10
within the United States designated for the purpose of the national 11
suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline system operating 12
through the national suicide prevention lifeline. 13
(3) "Acutely mentally ill" means a condition which is limited to 14
a short-term severe crisis episode of: 15
(a) A mental disorder as defined in RCW 71.05.020 or, in the case 16
of a child, as defined in RCW 71.34.020; 17
(b) Being gravely disabled as defined in RCW 71.05.020 or, in the 18
case of a child, a gravely disabled minor as defined in RCW 19
71.34.020; or 20
(c) Presenting a likelihood of serious harm as defined in RCW 21
71.05.020 or, in the case of a child, as defined in RCW 71.34.020.22
(4) "Alcoholism" means a disease, characterized by a dependency 23
on alcoholic beverages, loss of control over the amount and 24
circumstances of use, symptoms of tolerance, physiological or 25
psychological withdrawal, or both, if use is reduced or discontinued, 26
and impairment of health or disruption of social or economic 27
functioning. 28
(5) "Approved substance use disorder treatment program" means a 29
program for persons with a substance use disorder provided by a 30
treatment program licensed or certified by the department as meeting 31
standards adopted under this chapter. 32
(6) "Authority" means the Washington state health care authority.33
(7) "Available resources" means funds appropriated for the 34
purpose of providing community behavioral health programs, federal 35
funds, except those provided according to Title XIX of the Social 36
Security Act, and state funds appropriated under this chapter or 37
chapter 71.05 RCW by the legislature during any biennium for the 38
purpose of providing residential services, resource management 39
services, community support services, and other behavioral health 40
p. 55 SB 6232
services. This does not include funds appropriated for the purpose of 1
operating and administering the state psychiatric hospitals.2
(8) "Behavioral health administrative services organization" 3
means an entity contracted with the authority to administer 4
behavioral health services and programs under RCW 71.24.381, 5
including crisis services and administration of chapter 71.05 RCW, 6
the involuntary treatment act, for all individuals in a defined 7
regional service area. 8
(9) "Behavioral health aide" means a counselor, health educator, 9
and advocate who helps address individual and community-based 10
behavioral health needs, including those related to alcohol, drug, 11
and tobacco abuse as well as mental health problems such as grief, 12
depression, suicide, and related issues and is certified by a 13
community health aide program of the Indian health service or one or 14
more tribes or tribal organizations consistent with the provisions of 15
25 U.S.C. Sec. 1616l and RCW 43.71B.010 (7) and (8).16
(10) "Behavioral health provider" means a person licensed under 17
chapter 18.57, 18.71, 18.71A, 18.83, 18.205, 18.225, ((or)) 18.79 18
((RCW)), or 18.--- RCW (the new chapter created in section 44 of this 19
act), as it applies to registered nurses and advanced practice 20
registered nurses. 21
(11) "Behavioral health services" means mental health services, 22
substance use disorder treatment services, and co-occurring disorder 23
treatment services as described in this chapter and chapter 71.36 RCW 24
that, depending on the type of service, are provided by licensed or 25
certified behavioral health agencies, behavioral health providers, or 26
integrated into other health care providers. 27
(12) "Child" means a person under the age of 18 years.28
(13) "Chronically mentally ill adult" or "adult who is 29
chronically mentally ill" means an adult who has a mental disorder 30
and meets at least one of the following criteria: 31
(a) Has undergone two or more episodes of hospital care for a 32
mental disorder within the preceding two years; or33
(b) Has experienced a continuous behavioral health 34
hospitalization or residential treatment exceeding six months' 35
duration within the preceding year; or 36
(c) Has been unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity 37
by reason of any mental disorder which has lasted for a continuous 38
period of not less than 12 months. "Substantial gainful activity" 39
p. 56 SB 6232
shall be defined by the authority by rule consistent with Public Law 1
92-603, as amended. 2
(14) "Clubhouse" means a community-based program that provides 3
rehabilitation services and is licensed or certified by the 4
department. 5
(15) "Co-response" means a multidisciplinary partnership between 6
first responders and human services professionals that responds to 7
emergency situations involving behavioral health crises and people 8
experiencing complex medical needs. Participants in co-response 9
respond to in-progress 911 calls, 988 calls, and requests for service 10
from dispatch and other first responders and include first responders 11
such as public safety telecommunicators, law enforcement officers, 12
firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and paramedics, and 13
human services professionals such as social workers, behavioral 14
health clinicians, advanced practice registered nurses, registered 15
nurses, community health workers, and peer support specialists.16
(16) "Community behavioral health program" means all 17
expenditures, services, activities, or programs, including reasonable 18
administration and overhead, designed and conducted to prevent or 19
treat substance use disorder, mental illness, or both in the 20
community behavioral health system. 21
(17) "Community behavioral health service delivery system" means 22
public, private, or tribal agencies that provide services 23
specifically to persons with mental disorders, substance use 24
disorders, or both, as defined under RCW 71.05.020 and receive 25
funding from public sources. 26
(18) "Community support services" means services authorized, 27
planned, and coordinated through resource management services 28
including, at a minimum, assessment, diagnosis, emergency crisis 29
intervention available 24 hours, seven days a week, prescreening 30
determinations for persons who are mentally ill being considered for 31
placement in nursing homes as required by federal law, screening for 32
patients being considered for admission to residential services, 33
diagnosis and treatment for children who are acutely mentally ill or 34
severely emotionally or behaviorally disturbed discovered under 35
screening through the federal Title XIX early and periodic screening, 36
diagnosis, and treatment program, investigation, legal, and other 37
nonresidential services under chapter 71.05 RCW, case management 38
services, psychiatric treatment including medication supervision, 39
counseling, psychotherapy, assuring transfer of relevant patient 40
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information between service providers, recovery services, and other 1
services determined by behavioral health administrative services 2
organizations. 3
(19) "Community-based crisis team" means a team that is part of 4
an emergency medical services agency, a fire service agency, a public 5
health agency, a medical facility, a nonprofit crisis response 6
provider, or a city or county government entity, other than a law 7
enforcement agency, that provides the on-site community-based 8
interventions of a mobile rapid response crisis team for individuals 9
who are experiencing a behavioral health crisis. 10
(20) "Consensus-based" means a program or practice that has 11
general support among treatment providers and experts, based on 12
experience or professional literature, and may have anecdotal or case 13
study support, or that is agreed but not possible to perform studies 14
with random assignment and controlled groups. 15
(21) "Coordinated regional behavioral health crisis response 16
system" means the coordinated operation of 988 call centers, regional 17
crisis lines, certified public safety telecommunicators, and other 18
behavioral health crisis system partners within each regional service 19
area. 20
(22) "County authority" means the board of county commissioners, 21
county council, or county executive having authority to establish a 22
behavioral health administrative services organization, or two or 23
more of the county authorities specified in this subsection which 24
have entered into an agreement to establish a behavioral health 25
administrative services organization. 26
(23) "Crisis stabilization services" means services such as 23-27
hour crisis relief centers, crisis stabilization units, short-term 28
respite facilities, peer-run respite services, and same-day walk-in 29
behavioral health services, including within the overall crisis 30
system components that operate like hospital emergency departments 31
that accept all walk-ins, and ambulance, fire, and police drop-offs, 32
or determine the need for involuntary hospitalization of an 33
individual. 34
(24) "Crisis stabilization unit" has the same meaning as under 35
RCW 71.05.020. 36
(25) "Department" means the department of health.37
(26) "Designated 988 contact hub" or "988 contact hub" means a 38
state-designated contact center that streamlines clinical 39
interventions and access to resources for people experiencing a 40
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behavioral health crisis and participates in the national suicide 1
prevention lifeline network to respond to statewide or regional 988 2
contacts that meets the requirements of RCW 71.24.890.3
(27) "Designated crisis responder" has the same meaning as in RCW 4
71.05.020. 5
(28) "Director" means the director of the authority.6
(29) "Drug addiction" means a disease characterized by a 7
dependency on psychoactive chemicals, loss of control over the amount 8
and circumstances of use, symptoms of tolerance, physiological or 9
psychological withdrawal, or both, if use is reduced or discontinued, 10
and impairment of health or disruption of social or economic 11
functioning. 12
(30) "Early adopter" means a regional service area for which all 13
of the county authorities have requested that the authority purchase 14
medical and behavioral health services through a managed care health 15
system as defined under RCW 71.24.380(7). 16
(31) "Emerging best practice" or "promising practice" means a 17
program or practice that, based on statistical analyses or a well 18
established theory of change, shows potential for meeting the 19
evidence-based or research-based criteria, which may include the use 20
of a program that is evidence-based for outcomes other than those 21
listed in subsection (32) of this section. 22
(32) "Evidence-based" means a program or practice that has been 23
tested in heterogeneous or intended populations with multiple 24
randomized, or statistically controlled evaluations, or both; or one 25
large multiple site randomized, or statistically controlled 26
evaluation, or both, where the weight of the evidence from a systemic 27
review demonstrates sustained improvements in at least one outcome. 28
"Evidence-based" also means a program or practice that can be 29
implemented with a set of procedures to allow successful replication 30
in Washington and, when possible, is determined to be cost-31
beneficial. 32
(33) "First responders" includes ambulance, fire, mobile rapid 33
response crisis team, co-responder team, designated crisis responder, 34
fire department mobile integrated health team, community assistance 35
referral and education services program under RCW 35.21.930, and law 36
enforcement personnel. 37
(34) "Immediate jeopardy" means a situation in which the licensed 38
or certified behavioral health agency's noncompliance with one or 39
more statutory or regulatory requirements has placed the health and 40
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safety of patients in its care at risk for serious injury, serious 1
harm, serious impairment, or death. 2
(35) "Indian health care provider" means a health care program 3
operated by the Indian health service or by a tribe, tribal 4
organization, or urban Indian organization as those terms are defined 5
in the Indian health care improvement act (25 U.S.C. Sec. 1603).6
(36) "Intensive behavioral health treatment facility" means a 7
community-based specialized residential treatment facility for 8
individuals with behavioral health conditions, including individuals 9
discharging from or being diverted from state and local hospitals, 10
whose impairment or behaviors do not meet, or no longer meet, 11
criteria for involuntary inpatient commitment under chapter 71.05 12
RCW, but whose care needs cannot be met in other community-based 13
placement settings. 14
(37) "Licensed or certified behavioral health agency" means:15
(a) An entity licensed or certified according to this chapter or 16
chapter 71.05 RCW; 17
(b) An entity deemed to meet state minimum standards as a result 18
of accreditation by a recognized behavioral health accrediting body 19
recognized and having a current agreement with the department; or20
(c) An entity with a tribal attestation that it meets state 21
minimum standards for a licensed or certified behavioral health 22
agency. 23
(38) "Licensed physician" means a person licensed to practice 24
medicine or osteopathic medicine and surgery in the state of 25
Washington. 26
(39) "Long-term inpatient care" means inpatient services for 27
persons committed for, or voluntarily receiving intensive treatment 28
for, periods of 90 days or greater under chapter 71.05 RCW. "Long-29
term inpatient care" as used in this chapter does not include: (a) 30
Services for individuals committed under chapter 71.05 RCW who are 31
receiving services pursuant to a conditional release or a court-32
ordered less restrictive alternative to detention; or (b) services 33
for individuals voluntarily receiving less restrictive alternative 34
treatment on the grounds of the state hospital. 35
(40) "Managed care organization" means an organization, having a 36
certificate of authority or certificate of registration from the 37
office of the insurance commissioner, that contracts with the 38
authority under a comprehensive risk contract to provide prepaid 39
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health care services to enrollees under the authority's managed care 1
programs under chapter 74.09 RCW. 2
(41) "Mental health peer-run respite center" means a peer-run 3
program to serve individuals in need of voluntary, short-term, 4
noncrisis services that focus on recovery and wellness.5
(42) Mental health "treatment records" include registration and 6
all other records concerning persons who are receiving or who at any 7
time have received services for mental illness, which are maintained 8
by the department of social and health services or the authority, by 9
behavioral health administrative services organizations and their 10
staffs, by managed care organizations and their staffs, or by 11
treatment facilities. "Treatment records" do not include notes or 12
records maintained for personal use by a person providing treatment 13
services for the entities listed in this subsection, or a treatment 14
facility if the notes or records are not available to others.15
(43) "Mentally ill persons," "persons who are mentally ill," and 16
"the mentally ill" mean persons and conditions defined in subsections 17
(3), (13), (52), and (53) of this section. 18
(44) "Mobile rapid response crisis team" means a team that 19
provides professional on-site community-based intervention such as 20
outreach, de-escalation, stabilization, resource connection, and 21
follow-up support for individuals who are experiencing a behavioral 22
health crisis, that shall include certified peer counselors or 23
certified peer support specialists as a best practice to the extent 24
practicable based on workforce availability, and that meets standards 25
for response times established by the authority. 26
(45) "Recovery" means a process of change through which 27
individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed 28
life, and strive to reach their full potential. 29
(46) "Regional crisis line" means the behavioral health crisis 30
hotline in each regional service area which provides crisis response 31
services 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year including 32
but not limited to dispatch of mobile rapid response crisis teams, 33
community-based crisis teams, and designated crisis responders. A 34
regional crisis line may not dispatch law enforcement.35
(47) "Research-based" means a program or practice that has been 36
tested with a single randomized, or statistically controlled 37
evaluation, or both, demonstrating sustained desirable outcomes; or 38
where the weight of the evidence from a systemic review supports 39
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sustained outcomes as described in subsection (32) of this section 1
but does not meet the full criteria for evidence-based.2
(48) "Residential services" means a complete range of residences 3
and supports authorized by resource management services and which may 4
involve a facility, a distinct part thereof, or services which 5
support community living, for persons who are acutely mentally ill, 6
adults who are chronically mentally ill, children who are severely 7
emotionally disturbed, or adults who are seriously disturbed and 8
determined by the behavioral health administrative services 9
organization or managed care organization to be at risk of becoming 10
acutely or chronically mentally ill. The services shall include at 11
least evaluation and treatment services as defined in chapter 71.05 12
RCW, acute crisis respite care, long-term adaptive and rehabilitative 13
care, and supervised and supported living services, and shall also 14
include any residential services developed to service persons who are 15
mentally ill in nursing homes, residential treatment facilities, 16
assisted living facilities, and adult family homes, and may include 17
outpatient services provided as an element in a package of services 18
in a supported housing model. Residential services for children in 19
out-of-home placements related to their mental disorder shall not 20
include the costs of food and shelter, except for children's long-21
term residential facilities existing prior to January 1, 1991.22
(49) "Resilience" means the personal and community qualities that 23
enable individuals to rebound from adversity, trauma, tragedy, 24
threats, or other stresses, and to live productive lives.25
(50) "Resource management services" mean the planning, 26
coordination, and authorization of residential services and community 27
support services administered pursuant to an individual service plan 28
for: (a) Adults and children who are acutely mentally ill; (b) adults 29
who are chronically mentally ill; (c) children who are severely 30
emotionally disturbed; or (d) adults who are seriously disturbed and 31
determined by a behavioral health administrative services 32
organization or managed care organization to be at risk of becoming 33
acutely or chronically mentally ill. Such planning, coordination, and 34
authorization shall include mental health screening for children 35
eligible under the federal Title XIX early and periodic screening, 36
diagnosis, and treatment program. Resource management services 37
include seven day a week, 24 hour a day availability of information 38
regarding enrollment of adults and children who are mentally ill in 39
services and their individual service plan to designated crisis 40
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responders, evaluation and treatment facilities, and others as 1
determined by the behavioral health administrative services 2
organization or managed care organization, as applicable.3
(51) "Secretary" means the secretary of the department of health.4
(52) "Seriously disturbed person" means a person who:5
(a) Is gravely disabled or presents a likelihood of serious harm 6
to himself or herself or others, or to the property of others, as a 7
result of a mental disorder as defined in chapter 71.05 RCW;8
(b) Has been on conditional release status, or under a less 9
restrictive alternative order, at some time during the preceding two 10
years from an evaluation and treatment facility or a state mental 11
health hospital; 12
(c) Has a mental disorder which causes major impairment in 13
several areas of daily living; 14
(d) Exhibits suicidal preoccupation or attempts; or15
(e) Is a child diagnosed by a mental health professional, as 16
defined in chapter 71.34 RCW, as experiencing a mental disorder which 17
is clearly interfering with the child's functioning in family or 18
school or with peers or is clearly interfering with the child's 19
personality development and learning. 20
(53) "Severely emotionally disturbed child" or "child who is 21
severely emotionally disturbed" means a child who has been determined 22
by the behavioral health administrative services organization or 23
managed care organization, if applicable, to be experiencing a mental 24
disorder as defined in chapter 71.34 RCW, including those mental 25
disorders that result in a behavioral or conduct disorder, that is 26
clearly interfering with the child's functioning in family or school 27
or with peers and who meets at least one of the following criteria:28
(a) Has undergone inpatient treatment or placement outside of the 29
home related to a mental disorder within the last two years;30
(b) Has undergone involuntary treatment under chapter 71.34 RCW 31
within the last two years; 32
(c) Is currently served by at least one of the following child-33
serving systems: Juvenile justice, child-protection/welfare, special 34
education, or developmental disabilities; 35
(d) Is at risk of escalating maladjustment due to:36
(i) Chronic family dysfunction involving a caretaker who is 37
mentally ill or inadequate; 38
(ii) Changes in custodial adult; 39
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(iii) Going to, residing in, or returning from any placement 1
outside of the home, for example, behavioral health hospital, short-2
term inpatient, residential treatment, group or foster home, or a 3
correctional facility; 4
(iv) Subject to repeated physical abuse or neglect;5
(v) Drug or alcohol abuse; or 6
(vi) Homelessness. 7
(54) "State minimum standards" means minimum requirements 8
established by rules adopted and necessary to implement this chapter 9
by: 10
(a) The authority for: 11
(i) Delivery of mental health and substance use disorder 12
services; and 13
(ii) Community support services and resource management services;14
(b) The department of health for: 15
(i) Licensed or certified behavioral health agencies for the 16
purpose of providing mental health or substance use disorder programs 17
and services, or both; 18
(ii) Licensed behavioral health providers for the provision of 19
mental health or substance use disorder services, or both; and20
(iii) Residential services. 21
(55) "Substance use disorder" means a cluster of cognitive, 22
behavioral, and physiological symptoms indicating that an individual 23
continues using the substance despite significant substance-related 24
problems. The diagnosis of a substance use disorder is based on a 25
pathological pattern of behaviors related to the use of the 26
substances. 27
(56) "Tribe," for the purposes of this section, means a federally 28
recognized Indian tribe. 29
Sec. 43. RCW 74.09.748 and 2018 c 175 s 8 are each amended to 30
read as follows: 31
Upon adoption of a fully integrated managed health care system 32
pursuant to chapter 71.24 RCW, regional service areas:33
(1) Must allow reimbursement for time spent supervising persons 34
working toward satisfying supervision requirements established for 35
the relevant practice areas pursuant to RCW 18.225.090 and chapter 36
18.--- RCW (the new chapter created in section 44 of this act); and37
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(2) May allow reimbursement for services delivered through a 1
partial hospitalization or intensive outpatient program as described 2
in RCW 71.24.385. 3
NEW SECTION. Sec. 44. Sections 1 through 16 of this act 4
constitute a new chapter in Title 18 RCW.5
NEW SECTION. Sec. 45. Sections 1 through 16 of this act take 6
effect July 1, 2026.7
NEW SECTION. Sec. 46. Sections 17 through 43 of this act take 8
effect June 30, 2027, or later, contingent upon the Washington state 9
board of licensed mental health counselors adopting rules and 10
assuming full regulatory authority from the secretary. The department 11
of health must provide written notice of the effective date of these 12
sections to affected parties, the chief clerk of the house of 13
representatives, the secretary of the senate, the office of the code 14
reviser, and others as deemed appropriate by the department.15
NEW SECTION. Sec. 47. If any provision of this act or its 16
application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the 17
remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other 18
persons or circumstances is not affected.19
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