HB 1502
In CommitteeHouse
Behavioral health teaching
Establishing a behavioral health teaching clinic designation and enhancement rate.
This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.
How does a bill become law?
- Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
- Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
- Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
- Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
- Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
- Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
AI Analysis
This bill establishes a formal 'behavioral health teaching clinic' designation and higher reimbursement rate for agencies that train behavioral health students and new graduates. It aims to recognize and financially support the critical role these agencies play in building the workforce, especially given their current underfunding and high staff turnover. The program will be implemented statewide by mid-2026 and seeks federal funding support.
- Creates a new 'behavioral health teaching clinic' designation for eligible licensed or certified agencies that train interns or trainees and meet specific standards (e.g., supervision, equity, quality improvement).
- Requires the Washington Health Care Authority to reimburse designated teaching clinics at an enhanced rate to help cover the costs of training infrastructure and supervision.
- Sets a three-year term for the teaching clinic designation, with a plan for statewide rollout by June 30, 2026.
- Requires the Health Care Authority to consult with tribes and submit progress and final reports to the governor and legislature by December 31, 2025 and 2026, respectively.
- Deems agencies with teaching clinic designation as automatically meeting all state training requirements, reducing duplication of review.
Who is affected
- Licensed or certified behavioral health agencies — Agencies that train behavioral health interns and trainees will be able to apply for formal designation as 'behavioral health teaching clinics' and receive higher reimbursement rates to help offset the costs of supervision and training infrastructure.
- Behavioral health interns and trainees — Students and recent graduates in behavioral health fields (e.g., counseling, social work, psychology) will have access to more structured, supported training sites with guaranteed supervision and equitable access to practice opportunities.
- Tribal behavioral health agencies — Tribal behavioral health agencies will be consulted during implementation and may participate in the program, potentially receiving enhanced reimbursement to support workforce development in tribal communities.
- Medicaid recipients receiving behavioral health services — Medicaid enrollees who receive services from teaching clinics may benefit from increased access to care as agencies are better able to retain staff and expand services, and trainees gain experience under supervision.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for benefits
Potential Benefits (5)
Enhanced reimbursement for teaching clinics directly supports agencies that train behavioral health workers—many of which serve Medicaid patients—helping offset the cost of supervision and infrastructure, thereby improving staff retention and service continuity for vulnerable populations.
HealthcarePeopleRef: Sec. 2(2), Sec. 2(4)(a)Mandating qualified supervision and dedicated time for clinical supervision improves training quality and client safety, ensuring that trainees gain experience under oversight—reducing risk of substandard care and increasing public confidence in behavioral health services.
HealthcarePeopleRef: Sec. 2(1)(g), Sec. 2(1)(h), Sec. 2(1)(i)Deeming teaching clinics as automatically meeting all state training requirements reduces duplication of review, lowering administrative burden for agencies and state regulators—freeing resources for direct service delivery and quality improvement.
Local GovernmentPeopleRef: Sec. 3(1)Mandatory consultation with tribes and the requirement for a phased, statewide rollout by June 30, 2026 promote equity and inclusivity, ensuring tribal behavioral health agencies can participate meaningfully and rural/underserved areas are not left behind.
Local GovernmentPeopleRef: Sec. 2(5), Sec. 2(4)(b)By formalizing and compensating training roles, the bill strengthens the pipeline of behavioral health professionals—especially for underserved communities—helping address workforce shortages and increasing access to culturally competent care for Washingtonians in need.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 1(2), Sec. 2(1)(c), Sec. 2(1)(b)
Potential Concerns (5)
Enhanced reimbursement rates for teaching clinics may increase Medicaid spending, and while federal matching funds are targeted as an offset, CMS approval is not guaranteed and could be delayed—potentially shifting short-term fiscal burden to state general funds, which could strain other public health services.
HealthcarePeopleRef: Sec. 2(4)(a)The requirement that agencies bill for services rendered by trainees may create administrative complexity and compliance risk—especially for small agencies—since billing rules vary by payer and trainee scope-of-practice limitations; failure to comply could result in denied claims or audits.
HealthcarePeopleRef: Sec. 2(1)(d)Mandating a minimum stipend or honorarium for interns may increase operational costs for agencies, especially those serving low-income populations or operating on thin margins; some may reduce trainee slots or shift training elsewhere, potentially limiting access for students from lower-income backgrounds.
Business & EmploymentLean peopleRef: Sec. 2(1)(e)The requirement for formal orientation, training, and observation processes—without specifying state-provided templates or funding—may disproportionately burden small or rural agencies that lack dedicated training staff, potentially widening the gap between well-resourced urban agencies and smaller providers.
Business & EmploymentLean peopleRef: Sec. 2(1)(k)The three-year designation term creates uncertainty for long-term workforce planning; agencies may hesitate to invest heavily in training infrastructure if re-designation is not guaranteed, reducing program stability and long-term impact.
Local GovernmentLean peopleRef: Sec. 2(3)
Who Is Most Affected
Agencies that train interns and trainees—especially those serving Medicaid populations—will receive increased reimbursement to offset supervision and infrastructure costs, helping reduce staff turnover and improve service stability.
Interns and trainees gain access to structured, supervised training sites with guaranteed clinical supervision and equitable access to practice—improving their readiness for licensure and increasing retention in the behavioral health workforce.
Tribal agencies will be consulted during implementation and may participate in the program, potentially receiving enhanced reimbursement to support workforce development—strengthening tribal sovereignty and culturally grounded care.
Medicaid recipients may benefit from improved access to care as agencies retain staff and expand services, and trainees gain experience under supervision—though direct service quality depends on how well supervision standards are implemented.
State and local governments may face short-term fiscal pressure if federal CMS approval is delayed, but long-term savings could result from reduced workforce turnover and improved outcomes for high-need populations.