FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 6328

C 58 L 12

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Authorizing creation of a retired active license for mental health professionals.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senators Conway, Hargrove, Regala, Harper, Stevens and McAuliffe).

Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections

House Committee on Health Care & Wellness

Background: The Department of Health (DOH) licenses practitioners in the fields of mental health counseling, marriage and family therapy, and social work. The license framework provides for competency requirements, disciplinary procedures, continuing education requirements, and a licensing fee.

A retired active license is a license from DOH which permits a health care professional to practice in emergent or intermittent circumstances for a reduced license renewal fee. Emergent or intermittent circumstances are defined by rule to mean practice for no more than 90 days each year or practice during emergency circumstances such as earthquakes, floods, times of declared war, or other states of emergency. The holder of such a license must meet continuing education or competency requirements established by the disciplinary authority.

No specific rules exist currently that would permit a retired active license to be issued for a mental health counselor, marriage and family therapist, or social worker. DOH has recently refused requests to promulgate such rules based on a declared moratorium on new rulemaking.

Summary: DOH must promulgate rules relating to issuance of a retired active license to any mental health counselor, marriage and family therapist, advanced social worker, or independent social worker.

Votes on Final Passage: