SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5817

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, February 19, 2019

Title: An act relating to senior students in accredited schools of chiropractic.

Brief Description: Concerning senior students in accredited schools of chiropractic.

Sponsors: Senators Rivers, Cleveland, Walsh, Randall, Schoesler and Short.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Health & Long Term Care: 2/18/19, 2/19/19 [DP].

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Permits senior chiropractic students to administer chiropractic adjustments as part of their course of instruction.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG TERM CARE

Majority Report: Do pass.

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

Staff: Greg Attanasio (786-7410)

Background: Chiropractic practice is governed by the Washington State Chiropractic Quality Assurance Commission (commission). An individual must be licensed as a chiropractor to practice chiropractic adjustment in Washington. Certain individuals are permitted to practice chiropractic without a license:

Senior students in accredited schools of chiropractic approved by the commission may practice chiropractic, except for the administration of a chiropractic adjustment, if the practice is part of a regular course of instruction and the student is under the direct supervision and control of a licensed chiropractor.

Summary of Bill: Senior chiropractic students are permitted to administer chiropractic adjustments as part of a regular course of instruction and under the direct supervision and control of a licensed chiropractor. A senior student practicing chiropractic must pass an open book written jurisprudence examination approved by the commission prior to administering a chiropractic adjustment.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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: Clinical training for chiropractic students is unnecessarily restricted by the current statute. Washington is the only state in the region that does not allow chiropractic adjustments by senior students. Allowing students to provide chiropractic adjustments under direct supervision of a licensed chiropractor is safe and creates a better prepared professional.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Ann Rivers, Prime Sponsor; Lori Grassi, Washington State Chiropractic Association; Dr. Joe Pfeifer, University of Western States; Dr. Mark Sutton, citizen; Dr. Ben Greenwade, citizen.

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