Status Summary

First reading, referred to Higher Education & Workforce Development on 1.25.19.

Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development on 2.5.19.

Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development; passed and referred to Ways & Means on 2.19.19.

Referred to Ways & Means on 2.21.19.

Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means on 2.26.19.

Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means on 2.27.19; majority pass.

Passed to Rules Committee for second reading on 3.1.19.

Placed on second reading by Rules Committee on 3.7.19.

Rules suspended. Passed on Third Reading on 3.9.19.

In the House:
First reading, referred to College & Workforce Development on 3.12.19.

Public hearing in College & Workforce Development on 3.19.19. 

Executive action taken in the House Committee on College & Workforce Development on 3.26.19; majority pass with amendment(s).

Referred to Appropriations on 4.1.19.

The bill did not come out of Appropriations and therefore is dead.

(updated 1.10.20)

Legislative Session

2019

Status

In Progress

Sponsor

Brown
More about this bill

This bill expands opportunities for students to pursue mental and behavioral health professions.

SB 5635 amends previous RCW for the college board workforce education program to include ninety credits for students in an opportunity grant-eligible program of study, including required related courses, that result in a certificate or degree required for employment in a behavioral health profession. Extended opportunity grant funding is limited to no more than a total of ninety credits or for more than four years from initial receipt of grant funds.

*Companion to HB1850

Amendments:

House (Updated on 4.12.19):

1st substitute:

  • Opportunity Grant Program
    • The Opportunity Grant Program is expanded to allow students pursuing behavioral health professions to qualify for the award for 90 credits or up to four years.
    • The definition of "behavioral health professions" was removed.
  • Washington State Opportunity Scholarship Program
    • For students pursuing advanced degrees in health professions, the service obligation is removed.
    • The WSOS Board is required to identify high employer demand programs of study rather than determine high employer demand programs.
    • Additional technical corrections are made to the account language.

The service obligation for students pursuing advanced degrees in health professions was struck.

 

Behavioral and/or physical health