SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 1855

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Children & Family Services & Corrections, April 2, 2003

Title: An act relating to licensed independent clinical social worker education and experience requirements.

Brief Description: Clarifying licensed independent clinical social worker education and experience requirements.

Sponsors: House Committee on Children & Family Services (originally sponsored by Representatives Dickerson, Campbell, McDermott and Skinner).

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Children & Family Services & Corrections: 4/1/03, 4/2/03 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES & CORRECTIONS

Majority Report: Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Stevens, Chair; Parlette, Vice Chair; Carlson, Deccio, Hargrove, McAuliffe and Regala.

Staff: Fara Daun (786-7459)

Background: Under current law, there are two classifications of licensed social worker: licensed advanced social worker and licensed independent clinical social worker. The licensing provisions for independent clinical social workers require successful completion of 4,000 hours of supervised clinical work over a three-year period. The work must be supervised by a licensed independent clinical social worker, but the current law does not impose any experience qualifications for the supervisor.

Summary of Bill: Licensed independent clinical social workers who supervise the supervised experience requirement for licensure must have been licensed or certified for at least five years and have at least one year of experience supervising the clinical social work practice of others.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: This will improve training and accountability. It brings the licensing standards for social workers to the same level as those for other professionals, including mental health counselors, and marriage and family therapists.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: Representative Mary Lou Dickerson, prime sponsor (pro); Kevin Host, Washington State Society for Clinical Social Work (pro).