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Committee approves House Bill 580 to adjust oversight and supervision for alcohol and drug counselors
Summary
House Bill 580 passed the committee with favorable recommendation. The bill moves entry-level substance use disorder counselors under Alcohol and Drug Board oversight, sets group-size limits and adjusts temporary peer support specialist timelines.
The Senate Standing Committee on Licensing and Occupations gave House Bill 580 a favorable recommendation after brief presentation by sponsor Representative Kim Mosier and a consultant from Lane 13 Consulting.
Representative Mosier told the committee the bill brings entry-level counselors and specialists who treat substance use disorders under the oversight of the Alcohol and Drug Board, limits certain group-treatment sizes to eight people, increases supervision-hour requirements and reduces the permitted temporary period for peer support specialists to nine months so they can complete required training hours.
The committee discussed program integrity and potential for billing abuses in Medicaid-funded substance use treatment. One senator cast an aye vote with a cautionary comment urging program oversight and promising enforcement action against abusive providers.
After roll call the committee reported House Bill 580 with a favorable recommendation. Committee members said the changes are intended to improve clarity for regulators and providers and to tighten supervision to ensure training completion and program integrity.
