The proposed legislation establishes the Washington State Board of Governors for Licensed Social Workers, which aims to enhance professional oversight and public protection within the social work profession. The board will consist of seven members appointed by the governor, including four licensed independent clinical social workers, two licensed advanced social workers, and one public member. The bill outlines the board's responsibilities, such as adopting rules for licensure, determining education and experience requirements, and establishing a code of ethics. It also introduces provisions for associate licenses for pre-licensure candidates and mandates that licensed social workers provide clients with disclosure information regarding their practice. The bill emphasizes the importance of a specialized governance structure for social workers, reflecting the unique educational and ethical standards of the profession.

Additionally, the bill amends existing definitions and provisions related to social work, clarifying the roles of licensed advanced social workers and licensed independent clinical social workers as the top tier of licensure. It also repeals outdated sections and modifies the composition of the Washington state mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists advisory committee. The legislation includes provisions for the issuance of a retired active license for advanced social workers and independent clinical social workers, and it mandates that the governor appoint initial board members by January 1, 2027. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the regulation and oversight of social work practices in Washington State to protect public welfare.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 18.320.005, 18.225.005, 18.225.020, 18.225.030, 18.225.060, 18.225.070, 18.225.090, 18.225.130, 18.225.140, 18.225.145, 18.225.170, 5.60.060, 18.205.105, 19.410.010, 43.70.110, 43.70.442, 43.70.903, 48.43.087, 70.02.180, 71.05.765, 13.40.230, 25.05.510, 49.44.220, 74.09.748