HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2358

                       As Passed House

                      February 13, 1992

Title:  An act relating to the psychologist disciplinary committee.

Brief Description:  Modifying requirements for the psychologist disciplinary committee.

Sponsor(s):  Representatives Prentice and Moyer.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Health Care, February 6, 1992, DP;

Passed House, February 13, 1992, 96-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

HEALTH CARE

Majority Report: Do pass.  Signed by 7 members:  Representatives Braddock, Chair; Moyer, Ranking Minority Member; Casada, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Cantwell; Edmondson; Morris; and Paris.

Staff:  John Welsh (786-7133).

Background:  The Examining Board of Psychology is composed of seven licensed psychologists and two public members.  A disciplinary committee was established by the board for the purpose of hearing, examining, and ruling on complaints and evidence of unethical conduct.  A quorum of the psychologist disciplinary committee consists of five members, including at least one public member.

There is no authority for the appointment of temporary members to assist the disciplinary committee in its responsibilities.

Summary of Bill:  The quorum of the disciplinary committee is reduced from five to three members, one of which must be a public member.

The secretary of the Department of Health, upon the request of the board, is authorized to appoint pro tempore members to assist the committee whenever the workload requires it.  These members have all the powers, immunities, and emoluments of the committee.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  The purpose of this bill is to allow the disciplinary committee to deal more quickly with pending disciplinary cases.  Lowering the quorum requirement will allow the committee to have two panels working at the same time.  The provision for adding temporary members to the committee will facilitate the handling of the workload further.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  None.