HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1007
As Reported by House Committee On:
Health Care & Wellness
Title: An act relating to the completion of supervised experience through distance supervision.
Brief Description: Concerning the completion of supervised experience through distance supervision.
Sponsors: Representatives Klippert, Slatter, Graham and Macri.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Health Care & Wellness: 1/13/21, 1/14/21 [DPS].
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill
  • Removes the limitations on the number of supervised experience hours that a person pursuing a license as a social worker may complete through distance supervision.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE & WELLNESS
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.Signed by 15 members:Representatives Cody, Chair; Bateman, Vice Chair; Schmick, Ranking Minority Member; Caldier, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Bronoske, Davis, Harris, Macri, Maycumber, Riccelli, Rude, Simmons, Stonier, Tharinger and Ybarra.
Staff: Christopher Blake (786-7392).
Background:

The Department of Health licenses two types of social workers:  independent clinical social workers and advanced social workers.  To become licensed as either type of social worker, an applicant must have:  (1) graduated from an approved master's or doctorate level social work educational program; (2) passed an approved examination; and (3) completed a supervised experience requirement.
 
The supervised experience requirement for independent clinical social workers consists of 4,000 hours of experience under an approved supervisor.  At least 1,000 of those hours must have direct client contact and no more than 60 supervised hours may be completed through distance supervision.
 
The supervised experience requirement for advanced social workers consists of 3,200 hours of experience under an approved supervisor.  At least 800 of those hours must have direct client contact and no more than 40 hours may be completed through distance supervision.
Summary of Substitute Bill:

The limitations on the number of supervised experience hours that a person pursuing a license as an independent clinical social worker or advanced social worker may complete through distance supervision are removed.
Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The substitute bill removes the authority for independent clinical social workers to complete their supervised hours using distance learning.  The restriction that limits advanced social workers to only 40 hours of supervised experience obtained through distance supervision is removed.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date of Substitute Bill: 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 will help mental health workers across Washington complete their supervised hours.  This is just a slight change to supervised hour requirements.  Access to supervision is limited in rural areas and this bill is great for rural areas.  This bill removes the limit on hours that can be accomplished through distance supervision.  The technology available today is more capable of allowing for distance supervision than that which was available when the limit was initially passed.  Remote supervision happens in training for other fields, such as education.
 
The term "distance learning" should be changed to "distance supervision."  The same policy should also be applied to advanced social workers.
 
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying:
Representative Klippert, prime sponsor; MaryAnn Michaelis, Addo Recovery; and Bob Cooper, National Association of Social Workers—Washington Chapter.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.