Bill > SB5449

This bill amends the existing law regarding the Washington state mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, and social workers advisory committee by clarifying its composition and membership requirements. The committee will continue to have nine members, now specifically broken down into five professional members and four public members. The professional members will include two licensed mental health counselors, two licensed marriage and family therapists, one licensed independent clinical social worker, and one licensed advanced or independent clinical social worker. The public members will be three consumers representing the public at large who are not licensed mental health care providers. The bill maintains existing provisions about term limits (no more than two consecutive three-year terms), residency requirements, and prohibitions on holding professional association leadership positions or being employed by the state. Each professional member must have been actively practicing in their field for five years prior to appointment, and consumer members must be unaffiliated with the licensed professions. The bill preserves other existing provisions such as members' immunity from lawsuits for official acts performed in good faith, compensation guidelines, and the requirement to elect a chair and vice chair.

Health and Social Services

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5449&Year=2025&Initiative=false