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Bill

SB 6282

Requiring state registered apprenticeships in the building and construction trades to provide behavioral health and wellness training.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Steve Conway and 6 co-sponsors

Washington requires construction trade apprenticeships to include behavioral health and wellness training to address high rates of mental health crises and suicide in the industry.

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Bill Summary · SB 6282

Legislative bill overview

SB 6282 mandates that state-registered apprenticeships in building and construction trades include behavioral health and wellness training as part of their curriculum. The bill requires apprenticeship programs to integrate mental health, substance abuse prevention, stress management, or related wellness components into their training standards.

Why is this important

Construction trades face disproportionately high rates of suicide, substance abuse, and mental health crises compared to other industries. By embedding wellness training into apprenticeships, the bill aims to normalize mental health awareness early in workers' careers and provide practical coping tools. This addresses both worker wellbeing and potential productivity/safety benefits for employers.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs and burden: Apprenticeship programs may face expenses for curriculum development, instructor training, and materials, which could be passed to employers or apprentices
  • Curriculum scope uncertainty: The bill doesn't specify exact training requirements, potentially creating inconsistency across programs or disputes over what constitutes adequate "behavioral health" instruction
  • Time constraints: Adding new training components requires either extending apprenticeship length or reducing other technical instruction, raising questions about trade skill depth versus wellness hours

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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