Bill would let behavioral health graduates satisfy school supervision while working in K–12 settings

House Bill 1259 would direct the Washington Student Achievement Council and institutions with behavioral health programs to collaborate with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction to establish standards by which behavioral health graduates could satisfy licensing supervision requirements while serving as behavioral health professionals in K–12 public schools, witnesses said at the Jan. 22 committee hearing.

Elizabeth Allison, committee staff, summarized the bill: “House Bill 1259 directs the Washington Student Achievement Council and public institutions of higher education that have behavioral health programs to collaborate with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction to establish standards for behavioral health graduates to satisfy supervision requirements for licensing and certification while serving as behavioral health professionals in elementary or secondary schools.”

Representative Clyde Shavers, prime sponsor, said the bill aims to increase the pipeline of behavioral and mental health professionals available to schools without displacing existing school counselors, nurses, and social workers. “This bill is not intended to replace the invaluable services already provided by our dedicated school nurses, our counselors, and social workers,” Shavers said. “Instead, I believe that this bill aims to amplify their efforts by integrating emerging behavioral health professionals into the educational environment.”

The Washington Education Association (WEA) and the Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) testified as “other” and expressed support for the bill’s intent while urging safeguards. Nasuane Nishida of WEA said existing ESA (educational staff associate) certification pathways already allow clinical staff to acquire school‑based credentials, and cautioned that the bill should not enable non‑certificated contractors to fill positions that typically require certificated status and codes of conduct.

Zachary Turner, director of government relations for PESB, said PESB supports the bill’s intent to expand the workforce but emphasized that rigorous ESA standards are necessary to ensure staff understand school context, special education plans and professional duties. He told the committee PESB is willing to collaborate on strategies to encourage candidates to pursue ESA certification while protecting student safety and continuity of services.

Members asked whether OSPI and WSAC are the appropriate agencies to set the proposed standards; the sponsor said stakeholder engagement and possible amendments would refine which agencies and entities should be involved. No formal committee vote was taken at the Jan. 22 hearing; witnesses and sponsor said they would continue discussions and proposed amendments with PESB and other stakeholders.