HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1134

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Passed House:

February 12, 2015

Title: An act relating to scope of practice for certified counselors and advisers.

Brief Description: Concerning scope of practice for certified counselors and advisers.

Sponsors: Representatives Moeller and Harris; by request of Department of Health.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Health Care & Wellness: 1/27/15, 1/30/15 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 2/12/15, 55-42.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Replaces references to the previous version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders with generic language about mental, emotional, or behavioral problems.

  • Replaces the specific list of professionals to or from whom a certified adviser or certified counselor may give or accept referrals with a list of professionals defined by the Secretary of Health in rule.

  • Specifically prohibits a person from practicing as a certified adviser or certified counselor unless he or she is certified a certified adviser or certified counselor.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE & WELLNESS

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 13 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Riccelli, Vice Chair; Schmick, Ranking Minority Member; Harris, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Caldier, Clibborn, Jinkins, Johnson, Moeller, Robinson, Rodne, Short and Tharinger.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 1 member: Representative DeBolt.

Staff: Jim Morishima (786-7191).

Background:

In 2008 legislation was passed dealing with the practice of counseling. The legislation eliminated the credential of registered counselor and created eight new credentials, including certified advisers and certified counselors.

The Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV) is used when describing the scope of practice of certified counselors and certified advisers. The GAF is a numeric scale used by mental health professionals to evaluate a person's level of functional impairment. The lower the score, the more severe the person's level of functional impairment. For example, a score of 1-10 indicates persistent danger of severely hurting self or others, persistent inability to maintain personal hygiene, or a serious suicidal act. A score of 51-60 indicates moderate symptoms or some difficulty in social, occupational, or school functioning. A score of 91-100 indicates superior functioning in a wide range of activities with no symptoms. The GAF was eliminated from the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

The GAF is used when describing the scope of practice for certified advisers and certified counselors in the following ways:

Persons who are not certified advisers or certified counselors are not explicitly prohibited from practicing as certified advisers or certified counselors. However, it has been the policy of the Department of Health to prohibit such unlicensed practice.

Summary of Bill:

References to the GAF and the DSM-IV are eliminated. Instead, the client's mental, emotional, or behavioral problems will be assessed pursuant to rules adopted by the Secretary.

Persons who are not certified advisers or certified counselors are explicitly prohibited from practicing as certified advisers or certified counselors.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) This bill removes obsolete references to the GAF and the DSM-IV. Certified counselors and certified advisers are currently required to use an obsolete tool, which no longer conforms to modern practice standards. This bill allows the scope of practice for these professions to be updated to keep pace with current and future standards. The bill also allows the scope of practice to be updated in collaboration with stakeholders.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Moeller, prime sponsor; and Martin Mueller, Department of Health.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.