H-0841.1  _______________________________________________

                          HOUSE BILL 1260

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State of Washington      55th Legislature     1997 Regular Session

By Representatives Skinner, Dyer, Cody, Backlund, Murray, Anderson, O'Brien, Mason and Quall

Read first time 01/20/97.  Referred to Committee on Law & Justice.

Providing that communications between certified counselors and their clients are privileged.

    AN ACT Relating to privileged communications between certified counselors and clients; adding a new section to chapter 18.19 RCW; and repealing RCW 18.19.180.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 18.19 RCW to read as follows:

    Confidential communications between a client and an individual certified under this chapter are privileged against compulsory disclosure to the same extent and subject to the same conditions as confidential communications between a psychologist and client, but this exception is subject to the limitations under RCW 70.96A.140.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  RCW 18.19.180 and 1991 c 3 s 33 & 1987 c 512 s 11 are each repealed.

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