Please do not move SHB 1724 forward. The National Association of Social Workers – Washington Chapter supported the bill as it left the House. We have expressed serious concerns about the Senate amendments. 

The amended bill empowers people without specific education in mental health diagnosis to, literally, change someone’s life despite that lack of education. The new certifications and licenses created under the bill that were added in the Senate Committee on Health & Long Term Care. Those amendments have had no widespread vetting, and were unanimously opposed by everyone who testified in the Senate Ways and Means Committee -- the only place there was any opportunity to comment on the policy committee amendment.  Although the Chapter supported the bill’s original provisions, we cannot support the current version’s expansion of the scope of practice for agency affiliated counselors. 

Please take a moment to reach out to your elected legislators via this action alert.