HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1190
As Passed House:
January 30, 2025
Title: An act relating to allowing additional health professions to access the University of Washington health sciences library.
Brief Description: Allowing additional health professions to access the University of Washington health sciences library.
Sponsors: Representatives Marshall, Leavitt, Jacobsen, Couture, Barkis and Timmons.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Health Care & Wellness: 1/22/25, 1/24/25 [DP].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 1/30/25, 96-0.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Expands access to the Health Evidence Resource for Washington State to psychological associates and mental health counselor associates.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE & WELLNESS
Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by 18 members:Representatives Bronoske, Chair; Lekanoff, Vice Chair; Schmick, Ranking Minority Member; Caldier, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Marshall, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Davis, Engell, Low, Macri, Manjarrez, Obras, Parshley, Shavers, Simmons, Stonier, Stuebe, Thai and Tharinger.
Staff: Jim Morishima (786-7191).
Background:

The Health Evidence Resource for Washington State.

The Health Evidence Resource for Washington State, known informally as HEAL-WA, provides online access to clinical information and education resources to eligible health care providers.  The licensing fees for providers authorized to use the resource include an additional amount of up to $25 to fund the program.  Professions authorized to use the resource include physicians, osteopathic physicians, chiropractors, veterinarians, veterinary technicians, mental health counselors, psychologists, social workers, social worker associates, marriage and family therapists, and marriage and family therapist associates. 

 

Behavioral Health Associate Licenses.

Several behavioral health professions have associate licenses that allow holders of the credential to obtain supervised experience hours prior to full licensure.  Professions that have associate licenses include psychologists, mental health counselors, social workers, and marriage and family therapists.
Summary of Bill:

Psychological associates and mental health counselor associates are granted access to the HEAL-WA library.?
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) The Health Evidence Resource for Washington State (HEAL-WA) is an important tool that helps providers access medical information, which can help close the gap in mental health care.? The HEAL-WA library currently serves 26 professions and is committed to provide equitable access.? Other individuals holding associate credentials already have access to the library, so adding these psychological associates and mental health associates will not require additional staff resources.? It is important for these groups to have access.?

?

(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying:

Representative Matt Marshall, prime sponsor; Patricia Devine, HEALWA; and Shannon Thompson LMHC, CMHS, NCC, Washington Mental Health Counselor Association.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.