HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2126

                  As Amended by the Senate

Title:  An act relating to inactive licenses for dentists.

Brief Description:  Allowing a dentist to obtain an inactive license.

Sponsors:  Representatives Dyer, Cody, Sheldon, Smith, Van Luven, Thompson and Murray.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Health Care:  1/16/96 [DP].

  Floor Activity:

Passed House:  1/22/96, 94-0.

Senate Amended.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 11 members:  Representatives Dyer, Chairman; Backlund, Vice Chairman; Hymes, Vice Chairman; Cody, Ranking Minority Member; Murray, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Campbell; Casada; Conway; Crouse; Sherstad and H. Sommers.

Staff:  John Welsh (786-7133).

Background:  The Dental Quality Assurance Commission governs the practice of dentistry by examining applicants for licensure and acting as the dental disciplinary authority.

A person may not practice dentistry without obtaining a license, which is renewable annually, and paying the license fee, currently set at $220.

There is no inactive license status for dentists retiring from the practice or moving out of state or otherwise ceasing practice in this state.  Such a license would command a lower fee resulting from fewer costs.

Summary of Bill:  The Dental Quality Assurance Commission is authorized to establish by rule an inactive license status.  A dentist may place his or her license on inactive status, but may not practice without first activating the license.

EFFECT OF SENATE AMENDMENT(S): The technical reference to the "cancellation" of an inactive dental license is clarified with the words "of the inactive license."

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  Dentists wishing to remain licensed while disengaging from active practice for a variety of reasons, such as teaching or military service, are served by the inactive license status.  This is currently available for physicians and nurses in this state.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Linda Hull, Washington State Dental Association (pro); and Ron Weaver, Department of Health (pro).