HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1397

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Reported by House Committee On:

Health Care & Wellness

Title: An act relating to the delegation of authority to registered nurses.

Brief Description: Concerning the delegation of authority to registered nurses.

Sponsors: Representatives Moeller, Ericksen, Cody, Green, Hinkle, Morrell, Bailey, Williams, Nelson and Wood.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Health Care & Wellness: 1/30/09, 2/6/09 [DPS].

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

  • Allows a registered nurse to administer medications, treatments, tests, and inoculations, at the direction of an optometrist.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE & WELLNESS

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 10 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Ericksen, Ranking Minority Member; Bailey, Campbell, Clibborn, Green, Kelley, Moeller, Morrell and Pedersen.

Staff: Jim Morishima (786-7191)

Background:

Registered Nurses.

A registered nurse is a person who performs acts requiring substantial specialized knowledge, judgment, and skill based on the principles of the biological, physiological, behavioral, and sociological sciences in:

A registered nurse may administer medications, treatments, tests, and inoculations, if within his or her scope of practice, at the direction of a licensed physician and surgeon, dentist, osteopathic physician and surgeon, naturopathic physician, podiatric physician and surgeon, physician assistant, osteopathic physician assistant, or advanced registered nurse practitioner.

Optometry.

Optometry is the examination of the human eye, the examination of any defects in the human vision system, and the analysis of the process of vision. The practice of optometry includes:

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Summary of Substitute Bill:

A registered nurse may administer medications, treatments, tests, and inoculations, at the direction of an optometrist.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The term "optometric physician," which is not defined in statute, is changed to "optometrist."

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Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) This is a clean-up bill. Registered nurses are ordered to perform these services all the time and are faced with the uncomfortable choice of refusing to perform the services or facing liability for doing so.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: (In support) Representative Moeller, prime sponsor; and Brad Tower, Optometric Physicians of Washington.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.