HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1340

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.

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

Changes the practice of chemical dependency counseling by removing references to the goal of counseling as assisting clients in the achievement and maintenance of abstinence from alcohol and drug use.
Changes the name of the profession of "chemical dependency professionals" to "substance use disorder professionals."
Allows substance use disorder professionals to treat patients in settings other than substance use disorder treatment programs.

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 11 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Macri, Vice Chair; Graves, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Clibborn, Harris, Jinkins, Riccelli, Robinson, Slatter, Stonier and Tharinger.

Background:

Chemical dependency professionals are health care providers who assist persons to develop and maintain abstinence from alcohol and other drugs. The Department of Health certifies chemical dependency professionals. To become certified, a person must meet specific education, examination, and experience requirements.

In their practice, chemical dependency professionals use the core competencies of chemical dependency counseling which include the assessment and diagnosis of chemical dependency, chemical dependency treatment planning and referral, patient and family education, individual and group counseling, relapse prevention counseling, and case management. These activities are to be performed with the stated goal of assisting patients in achieving and maintaining abstinence from alcohol and drugs and developing independent support systems.

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Summary of Substitute Bill:

References to assisting clients with the achievement and maintenance of abstinence from alcohol and drug use as the purpose of chemical dependency counseling are removed.

Chemical dependency professionals are renamed "substance use disorder professionals" and chemical dependency professional trainees are renamed "substance use disorder professional trainees." Statutory references to chemical dependency professionals are changed accordingly. The term "chemical dependency" is changed to "substance use disorder" in the substance use disorder professionals' practice act.

Substance use disorder professionals may treat patients in settings other than substance use disorder treatment programs.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The substitute bill allows substance use disorder professionals to treat patients in settings other than substance use disorder treatment programs. A person who is certified as a chemical dependency professional or chemical dependency professional trainee shall be considered to have the title "substance use disorder professional" or "substance use disorder professional trainee."

Effective Date of Substitute Bill: This bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed, except for section sections 16, 18 through 20, and 22, relating to changing statutory references from "chemical dependency professionals" to "substance use disorder professionals," which take effect April 1, 2018, and section 21, relating to changing statutory references from "chemical dependency professionals" to "substance use disorder professionals," which takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) The use of the term "substance use disorders" is an improvement because it gives providers a more effective way to determine the seriousness of one's condition. Allowing the use of all evidence-based methods for treatment will be a huge help to people who struggle with substance use disorders. This bill modernizes the statute to reflect the most up-to-date clinical thinking around substance use disorder treatment and practice by not limiting them to abstinence services. This bill will allow providers to choose the most appropriate treatment option, including medication assisted treatment. The bill does not preclude abstinence-based counseling. There should be a reference to co-occurring disorders, which is the largest group of people with a substance use disorder, so that people know that they exist.

(Opposed) None.

(Other) License holders should be allowed to use their title outside of the facility setting. There should be consideration of whether or not the definition of "treatment records" should include notes.

Persons Testifying: (In support) Representative Cody, prime sponsor; Laura Groshong, Washington State Society for Clinical Social Workers; and Michael Hatchett, Washington Council for Behavioral Health.

(Other) Michael Transue, Seattle Drug and Narcotic Center.