BP BHEAD INT S

AN ACT Relating to the implementation of the 1993-95 health personnel resource plan; amending RCW 18.92.030, 18.92.100, and 18.54.070; and adding a new section to chapter 70.185 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. RCW 18.92.030 and 1986 c 259 s 140 are each amended to read as follows:

It shall be the duty of the board to ((~~prepare examination questions, conduct examinations, and grade the answers of applicants~~)) develop and administer or approve licensure examinations. The board, pursuant to chapter 34.05 RCW, shall have the power to adopt such rules and regulations as may be necessary to effectuate the purposes of this chapter including the performance of the duties and responsibilities of animal technicians: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That such rules are adopted in the interest of good veterinary health care delivery to the consuming public, and do not prevent animal technicians from inoculating an animal. The board shall further have the power to adopt, by reasonable rules and regulations, standards prescribing requirements for veterinary medical facilities and to fix minimum standards of continuing veterinary medical education.

The department shall be the official office of record.

Sec. 2. RCW 18.92.100 and 1991 c 3 s 243 are each amended to read as follows:

Examinations for license to practice veterinary medicine, surgery and dentistry shall be held at least once each year at such times and places as the secretary may authorize and direct. Said examination, ((~~which shall be conducted in the English language~~)) shall be((~~, in whole or in part, in writing~~)) on ((~~the following~~)) subjects((: Veterinary anatomy, surgery, obstetrics, pathology, chemistry, hygiene, veterinary diagnosis, materia medica, therapeutics, parasitology, physiology, sanitary medicine, and such other subjects which are ordinarily included in the curricula of veterinary colleges,)) as the board may prescribe. All examinees shall be tested by written examination, supplemented by such oral interviews and practical demonstrations as the board deems necessary. ((~~The board may accept the examinee's results on the National Board of Veterinary Examiners in lieu of the written portion of the state examination.~~))

Sec. 3. RCW 18.54.070 and 1991 c 3 s 140 are each amended to read as follows:

The board has the following powers and duties:

(1) ((The board shall prepare the necessary lists of examination questions, conduct examinations, either written or oral or partly written and partly oral, and shall certify to the secretary of health all lists, signed by all members conducting the examination, of all applicants for licenses who have successfully passed the examination and a separate list of all applicants for licenses who have failed to pass the examination, together with a copy of all examination questions used, and the written answers to questions on written examinations submitted by each of the applicants)) To prepare and administer or approve for administration, or both, a licensure examination in the subjects determined by the board to be essential to the practice of optometry.

(2) The board shall adopt rules and regulations to promote safety, protection and the welfare of the public, to carry out the purposes of this chapter, to aid the board in the performance of its powers and duties, and to govern the practice of optometry.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. A new section is added to chapter 70.185 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The department may develop a mechanism for underserved rural or urban communities to contract with education and training programs for student positions above the full time equivalent lids. The goal of this program is to provide additional capacity, educating students who will practice in underserved communities.

(2) Eligible education and training programs are those programs approved by the department that lead to eligibility for a credential as a credentialed health care professional. Eligible professions are those licensed under chapters 18.57, 18.57A, 18.71, and 18.71A RCW and advanced registered nurse practitioners and certified nurse midwives licensed under chapter 18.88 RCW, and may include other providers identified as needed in the health personnel resource plan.

(3) Students participating in the community contracted educational positions shall meet all applicable educational program requirements and provide assurances, acceptable to the community, that they will practice in the sponsoring community following completion of education and necessary licensure.

(4) Participants in the program incur an obligation to repay any contracted funds with interest set by state law, unless they serve at least three years in the sponsoring community.

(5) The department may provide funds to communities for use in contracting.