SB 6290

Brief Description: Concerning military spouses or registered domestic partners occupational licensing status during deployment or placement outside Washington state.

Sponsors: Senators Kilmer, Swecker, Conway, Shin, Rolfes and Chase; by request of Department of Veterans Affairs.

Hearing Date: 2/16/12

Staff: Jon Hedegard (786-7127).

Background:

The Department of Health (DOH) and various boards and commissions regulate a variety of health professions. Each profession is subject to its own unique credentialing standards including requirements regarding education, examinations, and clinical training. The DOH licensees include:

• denturists;

• dispensing opticians;

• ocularists;

• pharmacy assistants;

• physician assistants;

• osteopathic physician assistants;

• emergency medical technicians;

• radiologic technologists;

• nursing assistants;

• respiratory care practitioners;

• health care assistants;

• surgical technologists;

• dental assistants;

• expanded function dental auxiliaries;

• physical therapists; and

• physical therapy assistants.

The Department of Licensing (DOL) regulates a broad array of businesses and professions. A business or profession may be regulated directly by the DOL or under a board or commission or other authority that may have sole or shared jurisdiction with the DOL. Each regulated business and profession has a separate set of laws. Licensees of the DOL include:

• architects;

• auctioneers;

• bail bond agents;

• camping resort salespersons;

• cosmetologists, barbers, manicurists, estheticians, instructor/operators;

• court reporters;

• driver training instructors;

• engineers;

• land surveyors;

• embalmers and funeral directors;

• geologists;

• home inspectors;

• landscape architects;

• notary publics;

• on-site wastewater treatment system designers and inspectors;

• profession athletic announcers, chiropractors, inspector, judges, managers, matchmakers, participants, physicians, promoters, referees, seconds, timekeepers;

• real estate brokers, salespersons, and land development representatives;

• real estate appraisers;

• security guards;

• body art, body piercing, or tattoo practitioners; and

• timeshare salespeople.

Both the DOL and the DOH have provisions in law that put a moratorium on the expiration of a valid license beginning at the time a licensee enters service in the armed forces or the merchant marine of the United States and continuing until the service is ended. Upon payment of the current renewal fee, the DOL and the DOH must renew the license of every person who applies for renewal of a license within six months after being honorably discharged from such service .

Summary of Bill:

Service in the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps is added to the service that qualifies for a moratorium on the expiration of a license for DOH and DOL licensees.

License moratoriums parallel to the moratoriums for service members are created for the spouse or registered domestic partner of a service member while the service member is deployed or stationed outside of the state. The licensed spouse or registered domestic partner status may have their license placed on inactive status until the service is ended.

The DOH must return the license of the spouse or registered domestic partner of a service member to active status if the spouse or registered domestic partner:

• applies to activate a license within six months after the service member is honorably discharged from service; and

• pays the current renewal fee.

The Secretary of the DOH may adopt rules to implement this act for DOH licensees.

The DOL must return the license of the spouse or registered domestic partner of a service member to active status if the spouse or registered domestic partner:

• applies to activate a license within six months after returning to the state; and

• pays the current renewal fee.

The Director of the DOL and the various boards and commissions may adopt rules to implement this act for DOL licensees.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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