SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6143

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 Senate Committee On:

Health & Long Term Care, January 20, 2020

Title: An act relating to the podiatric medical board.

Brief Description: Concerning the podiatric medical board.

Sponsors: Senators Cleveland, Rivers and Becker.

Committee Activity: Health & Long Term Care: 1/15/20, 1/20/20 [DP].

Brief Summary of Bill

Adds two members to the Podiatric Medical Board (Board), one of which must be a member of the public.
Classifies the Board as a class five group for purposes of compensation.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG TERM CARE

Majority Report: Do pass.

Signed by Senators Cleveland, Chair; Randall, Vice Chair; O'Ban, Ranking Member; Becker, Conway, Dhingra, Frockt, Keiser, Muzzall, Rivers and Van De Wege.

Staff: Greg Attanasio (786-7410)

Background: The Board regulates the practice of podiatric medicine in the state by establishing, monitoring, and enforcing qualifications for licensure; investigating and making recommendations related to complaints against podiatric physicians; and establishing and monitoring compliance with continuing education requirements. The Board consists of four podiatric physicians and one public member and is classified as a class three group for purposes of compensation.

Any part-time, statutory board, commission, council, committee, or other similar group which has rule-making authority, performs quasi-judicial functions, has responsibility for the administration or policy direction of a state agency or program, or performs regulatory or licensing functions with respect to a specific profession, occupation, business, or industry shall be identified as a class three group for purposes of compensation.

Any part-time commission that has rule-making authority, performs quasi-judicial functions, has responsibility for the policy direction of a health profession credentialing program, and performs regulatory and licensing functions with respect to a licensed health care profession shall be identified as a class five group for purposes of compensation.

Summary of Bill: Membership of the Board is increased from five to seven members, two being members of the public who do not work in the administration of health activities and who have no material financial interest in providing health care services or fiduciary relationship to a health care delivery system.

The Board is a class five group for purposes of compensation.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This change is similar to recent changes to the Osteopathic Medical Board and will help address the issue of the inability to establish a quorum at some meetings. The $50 compensation rate was set in 1984 and not changed since, and the increase will be completely covered by existing reserve funds.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Annette Cleveland, Prime Sponsor; Gail McGaffick, Washington State Podiatric Medical Association.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.