This bill creates new law by adding two sections to chapter 43.70 RCW that require the (unspecified) department to contract with a nonprofit to establish an interactive, evidence-based program to improve access to behavioral health resources for anyone holding a professional credential subject to chapter 18.130 RCW. The program must use a screening questionnaire reviewed by a counselor to triage distress, allow users to remain anonymous, provide confidential services, permit interaction with a counselor via email or provide a referral for treatment, and include facilitation of paid medical leave requests for mental health conditions related to or exacerbated by clinician distress and burnout. The bill establishes a funding and procedural change by authorizing an annual, uniform surcharge added to the licensing fee of every licensed health professional covered under chapter 18.130 RCW. The secretary (title not specified) sets the surcharge by rule. All surcharge receipts are deposited into a new interactive screening program account in the custody of the state treasurer; only the secretary or the secretary’s designee may authorize expenditures. The account is subject to allotment procedures under chapter 43.88 RCW and does not require a separate appropriation for expenditures. The bill was read for the first time in the Senate on 01/14/25 and referred to the Committee on Health & Long-Term Care. Important details are not specified in the extracted text, including which department or which secretary is responsible, the surcharge amount and implementation schedule, exactly which professions are covered beyond the reference to chapter 18.130 RCW, contractor selection and qualifications, standards for “evidence-based,” confidentiality mechanics, counselor qualifications, and the procedures for facilitating paid medical leave.

If enacted, the bill would create a new, confidential program run by a nonprofit contractor to give health care professionals covered by chapter 18.130 RCW a way to complete an evidence-based screening, get a counselor-reviewed triage of distress, communicate anonymously by email or be referred for treatment, and receive help with paid medical leave requests related to clinician distress and burnout. Licensed professionals would gain easier access to targeted behavioral health support, counselors would take on screening and triage work, and a nonprofit operator would receive steady funding to run the service. The program is paid for by a uniform annual surcharge added to the licensing fee for every credential covered under chapter 18.130 RCW, set by the secretary in rule and deposited into a new state account controlled by the secretary without needing a separate appropriation. That means all affected licensees will face an added recurring cost set administratively, the contracting department must manage the procurement and oversight, and spending is centralized under the secretary. Important details are missing from the text provided: which specific department and secretary are responsible, the surcharge amount and timing, which exact professions are covered, how anonymity and confidentiality will be operationalized, how contractors are chosen, and how paid leave facilitation will actually work.