HOUSE BILL REPORT
SHB 1809
As Passed Legislature
Title: An act relating to naturopath's authority to give direction to persons licensed under chapter 18.79 RCW.
Brief Description: Authorizing naturopaths to give direction to registered nurses.
Sponsors: By House Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by Representatives Dyer and Dickerson).
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Health Care: 2/21/95, 2/24/95 [DPS].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 3/8/95, 98-0.
Senate Amended.
House Concurred.
Passed Legislature.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 13 members: Representatives Dyer, Chairman; Backlund, Vice Chairman; Hymes, Vice Chairman; Dellwo, Ranking Minority Member; Cody, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Campbell; Casada; Conway; Crouse; Kessler; Morris; Sherstad and Skinner.
Staff: John Welsh (786-7133).
Background: Currently, nurses and licensed practical nurses may work under the direction of a physician, dentist, osteopathic or podiatric physician or physician assistant, or advanced nurse practitioner.
Current law, however, does not authorize the nurse or licensed practical nurse to work under the direction of a naturopathic physician.
Summary of Bill: Nurses and licensed practical nurses are authorized to work under the direction of a naturopathic physician, consistent with their scopes of practice. The nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission is required to develop rules for nursing practice under the direction of naturopathic physicians.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not Requested.
Effective Date of Bill: The act takes effect August 1, 1996.
Testimony For: Nurses should have the option to work with naturopathic physicians.
Testimony Against: None.
Testified: Jeff Larsen and Dr. Patricia Hastings, Washington Association of Naturopathic Physicians (pro); Steve Borukowitz, Department of Health; and Lisa Thatcher, Washington State Nurses Association.