2247-S2 AMH BATE MORI 068

  

2SHB 2247 - H AMD 925

By Representative Bateman

ADOPTED 02/12/2024

On page 11, line 10, after "secretary" insert "in consultation with the committee"

On page 11, line 39, after "secretary" insert "in consultation with the committee"

On page 13, line 2, after "secretary" insert "in consultation with the committee"

On page 13, line 30, after "secretary" insert "in consultation with the committee"

On page 15, line 7, after "secretary" insert "in consultation with the committee"

On page 15, line 9, after "secretary" insert "in consultation with the committee"

On page 17, after line 19, insert the following:

"NEW SECTION. Sec. 20. (1) The secretary of health shall study and make recommendations on changing the disciplining authority for professions regulated under chapter 18.225 RCW from the secretary of health to separate boards or commissions for each profession.

(2) The secretary of health’s findings and recommendations must, at a minimum, include the following:

(a) Whether the disciplining authority for each profession should be a board or a commission;

(b) The recommended membership of each board or commission, which must include:

(i) A majority of members who are members of the regulated professions; and

(ii) At least one public member;

(c) An estimate of the fiscal impact of changing the disciplining authority for the professions; and

(d) A transition plan for changing the disciplining authorities, including recommended statutory changes.

(3) When formulating the findings and recommendations, the secretary of health must consult with organizations representing the professions regulated under chapter 18.225 RCW.

(4) The secretary of health shall report the findings and recommendations to the appropriate committees of the legislature no later than July 1, 2025.

(5) This section expires August 1, 2025."

Renumber the remaining sections consecutively and correct any internal references accordingly.

EFFECT: Requires the Secretary of Health to consult with the Washington State Mental Health Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Social Workers Advisory Committee when adopting rules relating to continuing education for those professions. Requires the Secretary of Health to study and make recommendations on creating new disciplining authorities for each of the following professions: mental health counselors, marriage & family therapists, and clinical social workers.

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