Brief Description: Using the health professions account for professional education and recruitment and retention.

Sponsors: Representatives Campbell, Schual-Berke, Rockefeller, Cody and Wallace.

Hearing Date: 2/3/04

Staff: Chris Blake (786-7392).

Background:

The Department of Health and the 16 health professions boards and commissions regulate over 250,000 health care professionals in 57 professions. These health care professionals are required to bear the costs of regulating their profession. Credentialing fees and examination fees are established by the Secretary of Health at an amount to cover the estimated costs of licensing and disciplinary activities. These funds are deposited into the Health Professions Account and are spent according to an appropriation request by the Secretary of Health every two years.

Summary of Bill:

Health professions boards and commissions that have resources in the Health Professions Account that exceed 120 percent of the cost of administering that profession's program may spend any funds over that amount to support activities that promote that profession including professional education and recruitment and retention. The Secretary of Health determines whether the 120 percent threshold has been met.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 30, 2004.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.