Washington SB 6232: Concerning hearing instrument replacement under the industrial insurance medical aid benefit.

Bill Text

AN ACT Relating to creating the Washington state board of 1
licensed mental health counselors; amending RCW 18.225.010, 2
18.225.020, 18.225.030, 18.225.060, 18.225.070, 18.225.090, 3
18.225.130, 18.225.140, 18.225.145, 18.225.170, 5.60.060, 18.100.050, 4
18.205.090, 18.205.105, 19.410.010, 25.05.510, 43.70.110, 43.70.442, 5
43.70.903, 48.43.087, 49.44.220, 70.02.180, and 74.09.748; reenacting 6
and amending RCW 13.40.162, 18.120.020, 18.130.040, and 71.24.025; 7
adding a new chapter to Title 18 RCW; providing an effective date; 8
and providing a contingent effective date.9
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:10
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds that:11
(a) The licensed mental health counseling profession has distinct 12
educational requirements, practice standards, ethical considerations, 13
and scope of practice that warrant specialized governance.14
(b) Licensed mental health counselors play a crucial role in 15
providing mental health services to Washington state residents, and 16
the profession has grown significantly in scope, complexity, and 17
public impact.18
(c) The establishment of an independent licensing board will 19
provide stronger professional oversight, more targeted regulatory 20
S-3991.2
SENATE BILL 6232
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2026 Regular Session
By Senators Bateman, Hasegawa, Nobles, Riccelli, Saldaña, and C.
Wilson
Read first time 01/20/26. Referred to Committee on Health & Long-
Term Care.
p. 1 SB 6232

focus, and enhanced public protection specifically related to mental 1
health counseling practice.2
(d) An independent board will enhance the profession's ability to 3
respond promptly and effectively to evolving practice standards, 4
emerging ethical issues, and public protection needs.5
(e) As Washington prepares to adopt the counseling compact, an 6
independent licensing board becomes necessary to manage the state's 7
regulatory duties under the compact. A licensing board provides the 8
authority, infrastructure, and accountability needed to evaluate and 9
grant practice privileges, set and enforce standards, and oversee 10
compact practitioners practicing in Washington. Moving to a licensing 11
board model ensures consistent regulation, facilitates effective 12
participation in the compact, and enhances consumer protection within 13
an expanded interstate practice environment.14
(f) Professional self-regulation through an independent licensing 15
board improves accountability, encourages professional excellence, 16
and guarantees that regulatory decisions are based on current 17
practice standards and clinical expertise.18
(g) The creation of an independent licensing board aligns with 19
the regulatory structure of other health care professions in 20
Washington state and demonstrates the maturity and independence of 21
the mental health counseling profession.22
(2) The legislature intends to establish the board of licensing 23
of licensed mental health counselors to improve public safety, 24
strengthen professional oversight, support the ongoing growth of 25
high-quality mental health counseling in Washington, and ensure that 26
mental health services meet the highest standards of safety, ethics, 27
and clinical skill.28
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. The definitions in this section apply 29
throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires 30
otherwise.31
(1) "Applicant" means a person who completes the required 32
application, pays the required fee, is at least 18 years of age, and 33
meets any background check requirements and uniform disciplinary act 34
requirements.35
(2) "Associate" means a prelicensure candidate who has a graduate 36
degree in a mental health field under RCW 18.225.090 and is gaining 37
the supervision and supervised experience necessary to become a 38
licensed mental health counselor.39
p. 2 SB 6232

(3) "Board" means the board of licensed mental health counselors.1
(4) "Department" means the department of health.2
(5) "Disciplining authority" means the board.3
(6) "Mental health counseling" means the application of 4
principles of human development, learning theory, psychotherapy, 5
group dynamics, and etiology of mental illness and dysfunctional 6
behavior to individuals, couples, families, groups, and 7
organizations, for the purpose of treatment of mental disorders and 8
promoting optimal mental health and functionality. "Mental health 9
counseling" also includes, but is not limited to, the assessment, 10
diagnosis, and treatment of mental and emotional disorders, as well 11
as the application of a wellness model of mental health.12
(7) "Secretary" means the secretary of the department of health 13
or the secretary's designee.14
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. (1) A board of licensed mental health 15
counselors is established, consisting of nine members appointed by 16
the governor. Seven members shall be licensed mental health 17
counselors, and two members shall be members of the public.18
(2) Members are appoi