H-4069.1 _______________________________________________
HOUSE BILL 2405
_______________________________________________
State of Washington 54th Legislature 1996 Regular Session
By Representatives Cody, Dyer, Murray, Skinner, Costa, Morris, H. Sommers, Hymes, Conway, Campbell, R. Fisher, Wolfe, Quall, Patterson, Dickerson, Chopp, Keiser, Mason, Linville and Kessler
Read first time 01/10/96. Referred to Committee on Health Care.
AN ACT Relating to continuing education on domestic violence for physicians and nurses; amending RCW 18.71.080 and 18.79.210; and creating a new section.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legisalture finds that:
(1) Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury among women and is linked to numerous other health problems, including depression, abuse of alcohol and other drugs, and suicide. Studies indicate that pregnant women are twice as likely to be at risk for battery. Children who witness the abuse of their mothers suffer significant short-term and long-term psychological consequences. Despite the frequency of medical attention, few women are diagnosed as victims of spousal abuse. Male victims of early child abuse are statistically prone to continue the cycle of abuse against their spouses and children.
(2) Training to identify and treat victims of domestic violence will increase the rate of identification of battered women who can benefit from referrals and collaborative prevention efforts offered by shelters, criminal justice agencies, social services, and legal assistance.
The legislature finds and declares that this act furthers the interests of the public health and safety.
Sec. 2. RCW 18.71.080 and 1994 sp.s. c 9 s 312 are each amended to read as follows:
Every person licensed to practice medicine in this state shall register with the secretary of health annually, and pay an annual renewal registration fee determined by the secretary as provided in RCW 43.70.250. The commission may establish rules governing mandatory continuing education requirements which shall be met by physicians applying for renewal of licenses. The rules shall provide that mandatory continuing education requirements may be met in part by physicians showing evidence of the completion of approved activities relating to professional liability risk management. The requirements shall also include exposure to the dynamics of domestic violence, including recognition of symptoms and appropriate treatment and responses including referrals. Any failure to register and pay the annual renewal registration fee shall render the license invalid, but such license shall be reinstated upon written application therefor to the secretary, and payment to the state of a penalty fee determined by the secretary as provided in RCW 43.70.250, together with all delinquent annual license renewal fees: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That any person who fails to renew the license for a period of three years, shall in no event be entitled to renew the license under this section. Such a person in order to obtain a license to practice medicine in this state, shall file an original application as provided for in this chapter, along with the requisite fee therefor. The commission, in its sole discretion, may permit such applicant to be licensed without examination if it is satisfied that such applicant meets all the requirements for licensure in this state, and is competent to engage in the practice of medicine.
Sec. 3. RCW 18.79.210 and 1994 sp.s. c 9 s 421 are each amended to read as follows:
A license issued under this chapter, whether in an active or inactive status, must be renewed, except as provided in this chapter. The commission may establish rules governing mandatory continuing education requirements that must be met by persons applying for renewal of licenses under this chapter. The requirements shall include exposure to the dynamics of domestic violence, including recognition of symptoms and appropriate treatment and responses including referrals. The licensee shall send the renewal form to the department with a renewal fee, as determined by the secretary under RCW 43.70.250, before the expiration date. Upon receipt of the renewal form and the appropriate fee, the department shall issue the licensee a license, which declares the holder to be a legal practitioner of registered nursing, advanced registered nursing practice, or licensed practical nursing, as appropriate, in either active or inactive status, for the period of time stated on the license.
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