Creating the Washington state board of governors for licensed social workers.

HB 2466 creates a new Washington state Board of Governors specifically for licensed social workers, replacing their previous oversight under a broader health board. The board will consist of seven members (four licensed independent clinical social workers, two licensed advanced social workers, and one public member) appointed by the governor to provide specialized regulatory oversight focused on social work practice standards. This change aims to enhance public protection by addressing the unique educational, ethical, and practice needs of social workers, separate from other mental health professions. The bill establishes the board’s structure, membership requirements, meeting rules, and authority to adopt regulations governing licensed social workers across all practice levels in Washington.