Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Health Care & Wellness Committee |
HB 1340
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. |
Brief Description: Modernizing substance use disorder professional practice.
Sponsors: Representatives Cody, Harris, Jinkins, Johnson, Robinson and Tharinger.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/24/17
Staff: Chris Blake (786-7392).
Background:
Chemical dependency professionals are health care providers who assist persons to develop and maintain abstinence from alcohol and other drugs. The Department of Health certifies chemical dependency professionals. To become certified, a person must meet specific education, examination, and experience requirements.
In their practice, chemical dependency professionals use the core competencies of chemical dependency counseling which include the assessment and diagnosis of chemical dependency, chemical dependency treatment planning and referral, patient and family education, individual and group counseling, relapse prevention counseling, and case management. These activities are to be performed with the stated goal of assisting patients in achieving and maintaining abstinence from alcohol and drugs and developing independent support systems.
Summary of Bill:
References to assisting clients with the achievement and maintenance of abstinence from alcohol and drug use as the purpose of chemical dependency counseling are removed.
Chemical dependency professionals are renamed "substance use disorder professionals" and chemical dependency professional trainees are renamed "substance use disorder professional trainees." Statutory references to chemical dependency professionals are changed accordingly. The term "chemical dependency" is changed to "substance use disorder" in the substance use disorder professionals' practice act.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: This bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed, except for section sections 16, 18 through 20, and 22, relating to changing statutory references from "chemical dependency professionals" to "substance use disorder professionals," which take effect April 1, 2018, and section 21, relating to changing statutory references from "chemical dependency professionals" to "substance use disorder professionals," which takes effect on July 1, 2026.