FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 1783

                                  C 243 L 88

BYHouse Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by Representatives P. King, Lewis, Day, Braddock and Cantwell)

Requiring the registration of nursing pools.

House Committe on Health Care

Senate Committee on Health Care & Corrections

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

Nursing pools are private entrepreneurial organizations that contract with nursing homes or other health facilities to provide temporary employment of nursing personnel such as licensed nurses, licensed practical nurses, or nursing assistants.

The employment practices of nursing pools are not regulated.

SUMMARY:

All persons operating nursing pools are required to register with the director of the Department of Licensing, who must establish forms and procedures for registration, including the payment of fees.  Nursing pools are defined as the business of providing, procuring, or referring health care personnel, such as nurses, for temporary employment in health care facilities.

Nursing pools are required to document that each employee meets minimum state credentialing requirements and carries professional and general liability insurance.  The Uniform Disciplinary Act governs the issuance and denial of registration and discipline of registrants.  The director is the disciplinary authority.

The director must make an assessment of the nursing pool registration program, including recommended minimum standards, and report to the Legislature by July 1, 1989.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      House 98   0

      Senate    47     1(Senate amended)

      House 94   0(House concurred)

EFFECTIVE:June 9, 1988