SENATE BILL REPORT

ESSB 5307

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.

Title: An act relating to evaluating military training and experience toward meeting licensing requirements in medical professions.

Brief Description: Concerning evaluating military training and experience toward meeting licensing requirements in medical professions.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care (originally sponsored by Senators Kilmer, Hewitt, Regala, Conway, Kastama, Hobbs, King, Rockefeller, Swecker and Roach).

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5307 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

Signed by Senators Keiser, Chair; Conway, Vice Chair; Becker, Ranking Minority Member; Carrell, Kline, Murray, Parlette, Pflug and Pridemore.

Background: The Department of Health (DOH) licenses health care professionals in accordance with statutory requirements. These requirements often include educational components, successful passage of examinations, completed apprenticeship programs, and experience components.

Summary of Engrossed Substitute Bill: People with military training and experience may count that training and experience towards professional licensing requirements unless that profession's regulatory body determines that the training and experience is not substantially equivalent to the standards of this state. This applies to the following health care professions: dispensing opticians, ocularists, osteopathic physician assistants, pharmacy assistants, physician assistants, emergency medical technicians, physical therapists, radiologic technologists, nursing assistants, respiratory care practitioners, health care assistants, surgical technologists, dental assistants, and denturists.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill: PRO: This bill provides a way for DOH to recognize military experience for the purpose of professional licensing. They have relevant training and this would reward the training and knowledge these people bring to their professions. Military personnel should not be required to start over with their training; they have already been trained and bring skills that should be taken advantage of. There will be five winners from this bill: veterans, employers, agencies, health care professions, and consumers. The training provided to dental technicians are not equivalent to the training required of dental hygienists and they should be removed from the bill. Osteopathic physicians' assistants should be added to the bill.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Kilmer, prime sponsor; Mark San Souci, Department of Defense State Liaison Office; Steve Lindstrom, Northwest Career Colleges Federation; Jim Richards, Osteopathic Medical Association; Melissa Johnson, Washington State Dental Hygienists Association; Gary Brackett, Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber.