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WashingtonHB 12342025-2026 Regular SessionHouse

Concerning the mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, and social workers advisory committee.

Sponsored By: Tarra Simmons (Democratic)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Pay and legal protection for committee members

Beginning July 27, 2025, committee members get pay and travel reimbursement under existing state rules. Members are also immune from civil or criminal suits for official acts done in good faith, including work on disciplinary cases. This reduces personal legal risk for people who serve.

New advisory committee for mental health providers

Beginning July 27, 2025, the law creates a nine-member advisory committee for mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, and social workers. The secretary appoints all members: 2 counselors, 2 marriage and family therapists, 1 independent clinical social worker, 1 advanced or independent clinical social worker, and 3 public members who are not licensed providers. Members must live in Washington, and cannot be state employees or leaders of related professional groups; professional members need 5 years of recent practice. Initial terms are staggered (1, 2, and 3 years); later terms are 3 years, with a limit of two consecutive terms. The committee elects a chair and a vice chair.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Tarra Simmons

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Alicia Rule

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 145 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/26/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 49 • No: 0

House vote • 2/6/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 96 • No: 0 • Other: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 7/27/2025.

    4/7/2025House

  2. Chapter 20, 2025 Laws.

    4/7/2025House

  3. Governor signed.

    4/7/2025legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    4/2/2025legislature

  5. Speaker signed.

    3/31/2025legislature

  6. President signed.

    3/31/2025legislature

  7. Third reading, passed; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    3/26/2025House

  8. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/26/2025House

  9. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    3/21/2025House

  10. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    3/19/2025House

  11. HLTC - Majority; do pass.

    3/18/2025House

  12. First reading, referred to Health & Long-Term Care.

    2/7/2025House

  13. Third reading, passed; yeas, 96; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 2.

    2/6/2025House

  14. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    2/6/2025House

  15. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

    1/28/2025House

  16. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    1/27/2025House

  17. HCW - Executive action taken by committee.

    1/24/2025House

  18. HCW - Majority; do pass.

    1/24/2025House

  19. First reading, referred to Health Care & Wellness.

    1/13/2025House

  20. Prefiled for introduction.

    1/9/2025House

Bill Text

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