HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1514
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As Reported by House Committee On:
Health Care & Wellness
Health & Human Services Appropriations
Title: An act relating to adding and deleting counseling professions subject to the authority of the secretary of health under the uniform disciplinary act.
Brief Description: Regarding counseling professions subject to the authority of the secretary of health.
Sponsors: Representatives Green, Hinkle, Cody and Morrell; by request of Department of Health.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Health Care & Wellness: 2/3/09, 2/6/09 [DPS];
Health & Human Services Appropriations: 2/18/09, 2/25/09 [DPS(HCW)].
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE & WELLNESS |
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 10 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Ericksen, Ranking Minority Member; Bailey, Campbell, Clibborn, Green, Kelley, Moeller, Morrell and Pedersen.
Staff: Jim Morishima (786-7191)
Background:
In 2008 legislation was passed dealing with the practice of counseling. The legislation eliminated the credential of registered counselor as of July 1, 2010, and created eight new credentials:
Agency Affiliated Counselors (authorized to provide counseling services on behalf of a state agency);
Certified Advisors (authorized to engage in private practice counseling);
Certified Counselors (authorized to engage in private practice counseling); and
the following associate and trainee credentials for persons who are working toward achieving educational and/or experiential requirements for full credentialing:
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate;
Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate;
Licensed Social Work Associate – Advanced;
Licensed Social Work Associate – Independent Clinical; and
Chemical Dependency Professional Trainee.
The 2008 legislation did not, however, update the section of the Uniform Disciplinary Act that lists the professions over which the Secretary of Health has disciplinary authority.
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Summary of Substitute Bill:
The following professions are added to the section of the Uniform Disciplinary Act that lists the professions over which the Secretary of Health has disciplinary authority:
Agency Affiliated Counselors;
Certified Advisors;
Certified Counselors;
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate;
Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate;
Licensed Social Work Associate – Advanced;
Licensed Social Work Associate – Independent Clinical; and
Chemical Dependency Professional Trainee
Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:
The substitute bill makes a technical correction to account for the passage of Initiative 1029.
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Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date of Substitute Bill: Section 1, which adds all eight professions plus registered counselors to the Uniform Disciplinary Act, contains an emergency clause and takes effect on July 1, 2009. Section 2, which does not include registered counselors, takes effect on July 1, 2010.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) This is a clean-up bill that adds several professions created in legislation last year to the Uniform Disciplinary Act.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: (In support) Representative Green, prime sponsor; and Karen Jensen, Department of Health.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES APPROPRIATIONS |
Majority Report: The substitute bill by Committee on Health Care & Wellness be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 15 members: Representatives Pettigrew, Chair; Seaquist, Vice Chair; Schmick, Ranking Minority Member; Alexander, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Appleton, Cody, Dickerson, Ericksen, Johnson, Miloscia, Morrell, O'Brien, Roberts, Walsh and Wood.
Staff: Chris Blake (786-7392)
Summary of Recommendation of Committee On Health & Human Services Appropriations Compared to Recommendation of Committee On Health Care & Wellness:
No new changes were recommended.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date of Substitute Bill: Section 1, which adds all eight professions plus registered counselors to the Uniform Disciplinary Act, contains an emergency clause and takes effect on July 1, 2009. Section 2, which does not include registered counselors, takes effect on July 1, 2010.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) This is a clean up bill that makes the Department of Health's authority very clear.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Karen Jensen, Department of Health
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.