WA SB6059

Establishes a new seven-member Board of Governors for Licensed Social Workers in Washington, with four licensed independent clinical social workers, two licensed advanced social workers, and one public member appointed by the governor to five-year terms

Transfers regulatory authority over social workers from the Department of Health and the existing mental health counselors/marriage and family therapists advisory committee to the new independent board, which will set education requirements, administer examinations, adopt ethics codes, and handle disciplinary functions

Provides a three-year transition period from July 1, 2026, with the secretary maintaining temporary regulatory authority until the board completes initial rulemaking and assumes full regulatory functions by July 1, 2029

Cites the social work profession's $1,310,000 surplus fund balance as of fiscal year 2024 as evidence of financial sustainability to support the independent regulatory board

Requires annual fiscal reporting to the legislature on the social work licensing program and board operations, and amends numerous existing statutes to reflect the separation of social worker licensing from mental health counselor and marriage and family therapist licensing