BILL REQ. #:  H-4494.1 

Read first time 01/20/10.   Referred to Committee on Health Care & Wellness.

     AN ACT Relating to clarifying the circumstances under which certain counseling-related associates may practice; amending RCW 18.225.145; and providing an effective date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 18.225.145 and 2008 c 135 s 13 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The secretary shall issue an associate license to any applicant who demonstrates to the satisfaction of the secretary that the applicant meets the following requirements for the applicant's practice area and submits a declaration that the applicant is working toward full licensure in that category:
     (a) Licensed social worker associate--advanced or licensed social worker associate--independent clinical: Graduation from a master's degree or doctoral degree educational program in social work accredited by the council on social work education and approved by the secretary based upon nationally recognized standards.
     (b) Licensed mental health counselor associate: Graduation from a master's degree or doctoral degree educational program in mental health counseling or a related discipline from a college or university approved by the secretary based upon nationally recognized standards.
     (c) Licensed marriage and family therapist associate: Graduation from a master's degree or doctoral degree educational program in marriage and family therapy or graduation from an educational program in an allied field equivalent to a master's degree or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy approved by the secretary based upon nationally recognized standards.
     (2)(a) Associates may ((not)) only provide independent clinical social work, advanced social work, mental health counseling, or marriage and family therapy ((for a fee, monetary or otherwise)) as employees of a public or private agency, institution, or incorporated clinic to acquire the experience hours necessary for full licensure. Associates may not provide such services under any other circumstance on a voluntary basis or for a fee, monetary or otherwise, including, but not limited to, private practice.
     (b) Associates must meet with and work under the supervision of an approved supervisor who documents the overall experience hours required for full licensure.
     (3) Associates shall provide each client or patient, during the first professional contact, with a disclosure form according to RCW 18.225.100, disclosing that he or she is an associate under the supervision of an approved supervisor.
     (4) The department shall adopt by rule what constitutes adequate proof of compliance with the requirements of this section.
     (5) Applicants are subject to the denial of a license or issuance of a conditional license for the reasons set forth in chapter 18.130 RCW.
     (6) An associate license may be renewed no more than four times.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   This act takes effect January 1, 2011.