{"data":{"id":"us-wa/rcw-71.40.090","jurisdiction":"us-wa","citation":"RCW 71.40.090","heading":"Behavioral health consumer advocates—Certification.","body":"The contracting advocacy organization shall develop and submit, for approval by the office, a process to train and certify all behavioral health consumer advocates, whether paid or volunteer, authorized by this chapter as follows:\n(1) Certified behavioral health consumer advocates must have training or experience in the following areas:\n(a) Behavioral health and other related social services programs, including behavioral health services for minors;\n(b) The legal system, including differences in state or federal law between voluntary and involuntary patients, residents, or clients;\n(c) Advocacy and supporting self-advocacy;\n(d) Dispute or problem resolution techniques, including investigation, mediation, and negotiation; and\n(e) All applicable patient, resident, and client rights established by either state or federal law.\n(2) A certified behavioral health consumer advocate may not have been employed by any behavioral health provider or facility within the previous twelve months, except as a certified peer support specialist or where prior to July 25, 2021, the person has been employed by a regional behavioral health consumer advocate.\n(3) No certified behavioral health consumer advocate or any member of a certified behavioral health consumer advocate's family may have, or have had, within the previous twelve months, any significant ownership or financial interest in the provision of behavioral health services.","path":["Title 71","Chapter 71.40"],"source_url":"https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=71.40.090","current_through":"July 15, 2026","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-06T04:05:19Z","sha256":"281f34e6fc56fa4d941f8fd46c4eba727bfc8a734ff8f44802223f6bde47b0f4","source_id":"us-wa","stale":false,"prev":"us-wa/rcw-71.40.080","next":"us-wa/rcw-71.40.100"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}