SENATE BILL REPORT
HB 1939
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 Senate Committee On:
Government Operations, Tribal Relations & Elections, March 17, 2011
Title: An act relating to defining federally recognized tribes as agencies for purposes of agency-affiliated counselors.
Brief Description: Defining federally recognized tribes as agencies for purposes of agency-affiliated counselors.
Sponsors: Representative Appleton.
Brief History: Passed House: 3/03/11, 80-17.
Committee Activity: Government Operations, Tribal Relations & Elections: 3/14/11, 3/17/11 [DP].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS, TRIBAL RELATIONS & ELECTIONS |
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Pridemore, Chair; Prentice, Vice Chair; Swecker, Ranking Minority Member; Chase, Nelson and Roach.
Staff: Diane Smith (786-7410)
Background: Legislation enacted in 2008 abolished the registered counselor credential and created eight new counseling credentials. One of those credentials is an agency-affiliated counselor. An agency-affiliated counselor is a person engaged in counseling who is employed by an agency. Agency-affiliated counselors must register with the Department of Health and may not engage in the practice of counseling unless they are affiliated with an agency.
An agency is an agency or facility operated, licensed, or certified by the state of Washington, or a county.
Summary of Bill: For purposes of agency-affiliated counselors, federally recognized tribes located within the state are included in the definition of agency.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available on HB 1255 which, except for the title, is identical to HB 1939.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This is a technical bill that corrects an oversight where the tribal counselors were inadvertently left out of a previous bill.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Lonnie Johns-Brown, American Indian health Commission; Claudia Kauffman, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe.