SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    HB 2358

             AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE,

                               FEBRUARY 24, 1992

Brief Description:  Modifying requirements for the psychologist disciplinary committee.

SPONSORS: Representatives Prentice and Moyer

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG‑TERM CARE

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

      Signed by Senators West, Chairman; L. Smith, Vice Chairman; M. Kreidler, Niemi, Sumner, and Wojahn.

Staff:  Sarena Seifer (786‑7417)

Hearing Dates: February 24, 1992

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.

SUMMARY:

The quorum of the disciplinary committee is reduced from five to three members, one of whom 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 are entitled to all the powers, immunities, and emoluments of the committee.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available

TESTIMONY FOR:

Lowering the quorum requirement will allow the committee to have two panels working simultaneously.  Temporary members will facilitate the handling of the committee's workload.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Sherman Cox, Department of Health (pro)