AN ACT Relating to the
use of examinations in the credentialing of health professionals; amending RCW
18.25.030, 18.32.050, 18.34.080, 18.29.021, 18.29.120, 18.53.060, 18.54.070,
18.64A.020, 18.74.035, 18.83.070, 18.83.072, 18.92.030, 18.92.100, 18.108.030,
18.108.050, 18.108.073, 18.30.020, 18.30.080, 18.30.090, 18.30.100, 18.30.110,
18.30.130, and 18.30.140; reenacting and amending RCW 18.74.023; adding a new
section to chapter 18.130 RCW; repealing RCW 18.30.070; and declaring an
emergency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE
LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
Sec. 1. RCW 18.25.030 and 1994
sp.s. c 9 s 111 are each amended to read as follows:
Examinations for
license to practice chiropractic shall be ((made)) developed and
administered, or approved, or both, by the commission according to the
method deemed by it to be the most practicable and expeditious to test the
applicant's qualifications. ((Such application)) The commission may
approve an examination prepared or administered by a private testing agency or
association of licensing authorities. The applicant shall be designated by
a number instead of his or her name, so that the identity shall not be
discovered or disclosed to the members of the commission until after the
examination papers are graded.
((All examinations
shall be in whole or in part in writing, the subject of which shall be as
follows)) Examination subjects may include the following: Anatomy,
physiology, spinal anatomy, microbiology-public health, general diagnosis,
neuromuscularskeletal diagnosis, x-ray, principles of chiropractic and
adjusting, as taught by chiropractic schools and colleges((. The commission
shall administer a practical examination to applicants which shall consist of
diagnosis, principles and practice, x-ray, and adjustive technique)),
and any other subject areas consistent with chapter 18.25 RCW. ((A
license shall be granted to all applicants whose score over each subject tested
is seventy-five percent.)) The commission shall set the standards for
passing the examination. The commission may enact additional requirements
for testing administered by the national board of chiropractic examiners.
Sec. 2. RCW 18.32.050 and 1994
sp.s. c 9 s 212 are each amended to read as follows:
Commission members
shall be compensated and reimbursed pursuant to this section for their
activities in administering a multi-state licensing examination pursuant to the
commission's compact or agreement with another state or states or with
organizations formed by several states. ((Compensation or reimbursement
received by a commission member from another state, or organization formed by
several states, for such member's services in administering a multi-state
licensing examination, shall be deposited in the state general fund.))
Sec. 3. RCW 18.34.080 and 1991 c
3 s 77 are each amended to read as follows:
The examination shall
determine whether the applicant has a thorough knowledge of the principles
governing the practice of a dispensing optician which is hereby declared
necessary for the protection of the public health. The examining committee
may approve an examination prepared or administered by a private testing agency
or association of licensing authorities. The secretary shall license
successful examinees and the license shall be conspicuously displayed in the
place of business of the licensee.
Sec. 4. RCW 18.29.021 and 1991 c
3 s 46 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) The department
shall issue a license to any applicant who, as determined by the secretary:
(a) Has successfully
completed an educational program approved by the secretary. This educational program
shall include course work encompassing the subject areas within the scope of
the license to practice dental hygiene in the state of Washington;
(b) Has successfully
completed an examination administered or approved by the dental hygiene
examining committee; and
(c) Has not engaged in
unprofessional conduct or is not unable to practice with reasonable skill and
safety as a result of a physical or mental impairment.
(2) Applications for
licensure shall be submitted on forms provided by the department. The
department may require any information and documentation necessary to determine
if the applicant meets the criteria for licensure as provided in this chapter
and chapter 18.130 RCW. Each applicant shall pay a fee determined by the
secretary as provided in RCW 43.70.250. The fee shall be submitted with the
application.
Sec. 5. RCW 18.29.120 and 1991 c
3 s 52 are each amended to read as follows:
The secretary in
consultation with the Washington dental hygiene examining committee shall:
(1) Adopt rules in
accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW necessary to prepare and conduct examinations
for dental hygiene licensure;
(2) Require an
applicant for licensure to pass an examination consisting of written and
practical tests upon such subjects and of such scope as the committee
determines;
(3) Set the standards
for passage of the examination;
(4) Administer at least
two examinations each calendar year ((in conjunction with examinations for
licensure of dentists under chapter 18.32 RCW)). Additional examinations
may be given as necessary; and
(5) Establish by rule
the procedures for an appeal of an examination failure.
Sec. 6. RCW 18.53.060 and 1991 c
3 s 135 are each amended to read as follows:
From and after January
1, 1940, in order to be eligible for examination for registration, a person
shall be a citizen of the United States of America, who shall have a
preliminary education of or equal to four years in a state accredited high
school and has completed a full attendance course in a regularly chartered
school of optometry maintaining a standard which is deemed sufficient and
satisfactory by the optometry board, who is a person of good moral character,
((who is not afflicted with any contagious or infectious disease,)) who
has a visual acuity in at least one eye, of a standard known as 20/40 under
correction: PROVIDED, That from and after January 1, 1975, in order to be eligible
for examination for a license, a person shall have the following
qualifications:
(1) Be a graduate of a
state accredited high school or its equivalent;
(2) Have a diploma or
other certificate of completion from an accredited college of optometry or
school of optometry, maintaining a standard which is deemed sufficient and
satisfactory by the optometry board, conferring its degree of doctor of
optometry or its equivalent, maintaining a course of four scholastic years in
addition to preprofessional college level studies, and teaching substantially
all of the following subjects: General anatomy, anatomy of the eyes,
physiology, physics, chemistry, pharmacology, biology, bacteriology, general
pathology, ocular pathology, ocular neurology, ocular myology, psychology,
physiological optics, optometrical mechanics, clinical optometry, visual field
charting and orthoptics, general laws of optics and refraction and use of the
ophthalmoscope, retinoscope and other clinical instruments necessary in the
practice of optometry; and
(3) Be of good moral
character((; and
(4) Have no
contagious or infectious disease)).
Such person shall file
an application for an examination and license with said board at any time
thirty days prior to the time fixed for such examination, or at a later date if
approved by the board, and such application must be on forms approved by the
board, and properly attested, and if found to be in accordance with the
provisions of this chapter shall entitle the applicant upon payment of the proper
fee, to take the examination prescribed by the board. Such examination shall
not be out of keeping with the established teachings and adopted textbooks of
the recognized schools of optometry, and shall be confined to such subjects and
practices as are recognized as essential to the practice of optometry. All
candidates without discrimination, who shall successfully pass the prescribed
examination, shall be registered by the board and shall, upon payment of the
proper fee, be issued a license. ((The optometry board, at its discretion,
may waive all or a portion of the written examination for any applicant who has
satisfactorily passed the examination given by the National Board of Examiners
in Optometry.)) Any license to practice optometry in this state issued by
the secretary, and which shall be in full force and effect at the time of
passage of this 1975 amendatory act, shall be continued.
Sec. 7. RCW 18.54.070 and 1991 c
3 s 140 are each amended to read as follows:
The board has the
following powers and duties:
(1) ((The board
shall prepare the necessary lists of examination questions, conduct
examinations, either written or oral or partly written and partly oral, and
shall certify to the secretary of health all lists, signed by all members
conducting the examination, of all applicants for licenses who have
successfully passed the examination and a separate list of all applicants for
licenses who have failed to pass the examination, together with a copy of all
examination questions used, and the written answers to questions on written
examinations submitted by each of the applicants.)) To develop and
administer, or approve, or both, a licensure examination. The board may
approve an examination prepared or administered by a private testing agency or
association of licensing authorities.
(2) The board shall
adopt rules and regulations to promote safety, protection and the welfare of
the public, to carry out the purposes of this chapter, to aid the board in the
performance of its powers and duties, and to govern the practice of optometry.
Sec. 8. RCW 18.64A.020 and 1977
ex.s. c 101 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) The board shall
adopt, in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW, rules ((and regulations))
fixing the classification and qualifications and the educational and training
requirements for persons who may be employed as pharmacy assistants or who may
be enrolled in any pharmacy assistant training program. Such ((regulations))
rules shall provide that:
(a) Licensed
pharmacists shall supervise the training of pharmacy assistants; and
(b) Training programs
shall assure the competence of pharmacy assistants to aid and assist pharmacy
operations. Training programs shall consist of instruction and/or practical
training.
Such rules may
include successful completion of examinations for applicants for pharmacy
assistant certificates. If such examination rules are adopted, the board shall
prepare or determine the nature of, and supervise the grading of the
examinations. The board may approve an examination prepared or administered by
a private testing agency or association of licensing authorities.
(2) The board may
disapprove or revoke approval of any training program for failure to conform to
board rules ((and regulations)). In the case of the disapproval or
revocation of approval of a training program by the board, a hearing shall be
conducted in accordance with RCW 18.64.160 ((as now or hereafter amended)),
and appeal may be taken in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act,
chapter 34.05 RCW.
Sec. 9. RCW 18.74.023 and 1991 c
12 s 3 and 1991 c 3 s 175 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:
The board has the following
powers and duties:
(1) To develop and
administer, or approve, or both, examinations to applicants for a
license under this chapter.
(2) To pass upon the
qualifications of applicants for a license and to certify to the secretary duly
qualified applicants.
(3) To make such rules
not inconsistent with the laws of this state as may be deemed necessary or
proper to carry out the purposes of this chapter.
(4) To establish and
administer requirements for continuing competency, which shall be a prerequisite
to renewing a license under this chapter.
(5) To keep an official
record of all its proceedings, which record shall be evidence of all
proceedings of the board which are set forth therein.
(6) To adopt rules not
inconsistent with the laws of this state, when it deems appropriate, in
response to questions put to it by professional health associations, physical
therapists, and consumers in this state concerning the authority of physical
therapists to perform particular acts.
Sec. 10. RCW 18.74.035 and 1991 c
3 s 176 are each amended to read as follows:
All qualified
applicants for a license as a physical therapist shall be examined by the board
at such time and place as the board may determine. The board may approve an
examination prepared or administered by a private testing agency or association
of licensing authorities. The examination shall embrace the following
subjects: The applied sciences of anatomy, neuroanatomy, kinesiology,
physiology, pathology, psychology, physics; physical therapy, as defined in
this chapter, applied to medicine, neurology, orthopedics, pediatrics,
psychiatry, surgery; medical ethics; technical procedures in the practice of
physical therapy as defined in this chapter; and such other subjects as the
board may deem useful to test the applicant's fitness to practice physical
therapy, but not including the adjustment or manipulation of the spine or use
of a thrusting force as mobilization. Examinations shall be held within the
state at least once a year, at such time and place as the board shall
determine. An applicant who fails an examination may apply for reexamination
upon payment of a reexamination fee determined by the secretary.
Sec. 11. RCW 18.83.070 and 1984 c
279 s 80 are each amended to read as follows:
An applicant for a
license as "psychologist" must submit proof to the board that:
(1) The applicant is of
good moral character.
(2) The applicant holds
a doctoral degree from a regionally accredited institution, obtained from an
integrated program of graduate study in psychology as defined by rules of the
board.
(3) The applicant has
had no fewer than two years of supervised experience, at least one of which
shall have been obtained subsequent to the granting of the doctoral degree.
The board shall adopt rules defining the circumstances under which supervised
experience shall qualify the candidate for licensure.
(4) The applicant has
passed the written ((and)) or oral examinations, or both, as
prescribed by the board.
Any person holding a
valid license to practice psychology in the state of Washington on June 7,
1984, shall be considered licensed under this chapter.
Sec. 12. RCW 18.83.072 and 1991 c
3 s 198 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) Examination of
applicants shall be held in Olympia, Washington, or at such other place as
designated by the secretary, at least annually at such times as the board may
determine.
(2) Any applicant shall
have the right to discuss with the board his or her performance on the
examination.
(3) Any applicant who
fails to make a passing grade on the examination may be allowed to retake the
examination. Any applicant who fails the examination a second time must obtain
special permission from the board to take the examination again.
(4) The reexamination
fee shall be the same as the application fee set forth in RCW 18.83.060.
(5) The board may
approve an examination prepared or administered by a private testing agency or
association of licensing authorities.
Sec. 13. RCW 18.92.030 and 1993 c
78 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
The board shall ((prepare
examination questions, conduct examinations, and grade the answers of
applicants)) develop and administer, or approve, or both, a licensure
examination in the subjects determined by the board to be essential to the
practice of veterinary medicine, surgery, and dentistry. The board may approve
an examination prepared or administered by a private testing agency or
association of licensing authorities. The board, under chapter 34.05 RCW,
may adopt rules necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter, including
the performance of the duties and responsibilities of animal technicians and
veterinary medication clerks. The rules shall be adopted in the interest of
good veterinary health care delivery to the consuming public and shall not
prevent animal technicians from inoculating an animal. The board also has the
power to adopt by rule standards prescribing requirements for veterinary
medical facilities and fixing minimum standards of continuing veterinary
medical education.
The department is the
official office of record.
Sec. 14. RCW 18.92.100 and 1991 c
3 s 243 are each amended to read as follows:
Examinations for
license to practice veterinary medicine, surgery and dentistry shall be held at
least once each year at such times and places as the secretary may authorize and
direct. ((Said)) The examination((, which shall be conducted
in the English language)) shall be((, in whole or in part, in writing))
on ((the following)) subjects((: Veterinary anatomy, surgery,
obstetrics, pathology, chemistry, hygiene, veterinary diagnosis, materia
medica, therapeutics, parasitology, physiology, sanitary medicine, and such
other subjects which)) that are ordinarily included in the curricula
of veterinary colleges((, as the board may prescribe)). All examinees
shall be tested by written examination, supplemented by such oral interviews
and practical demonstrations as the board deems necessary. ((The board may
accept the examinee's results on the National Board of Veterinary Examiners in
lieu of the written portion of the state examination.))
Sec. 15. RCW 18.108.030 and 1987
c 443 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) No person may
practice or represent himself or herself as a massage practitioner without
first applying for and receiving from the department a license to practice.
(2) A person represents
himself or herself as a massage practitioner when the person adopts or uses any
title or any description of services that incorporates one or more of the
following terms or designations: Massage, massage practitioner, massage
therapist, massage therapy, therapeutic massage, massage technician, massage
technology, massagist, masseur, masseuse, myotherapist or myotherapy, touch
therapist, reflexologist, ((accupressurist)) acupressurist, body
therapy or body therapist, or any derivation of those terms that implies a
massage technique or method.
Sec. 16. RCW 18.108.050 and 1987
c 443 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:
This chapter does not
apply to:
(1) An individual
giving massage to members of his or her immediate family;
(2) The practice of a
profession by individuals who are licensed, certified, or registered under
other laws of this state and who are performing services within their
authorized scope of practice;
(3) Massage practiced
at the athletic department of any institution maintained by the public funds of
the state, or any of its political subdivisions;
(4) Massage practiced
at the athletic department of any school or college approved by the department by
rule using recognized national professional standards;
(5) Students
enrolled in an approved massage school, approved program, or approved
apprenticeship program, practicing massage techniques, incidental to the
massage school or program and supervised by the approved school or program.
Students must identify themselves as a student when performing massage services
on members of the public. Students may not be compensated for the massage
services they provide.
Sec. 17. RCW 18.108.073 and 1991
c 3 s 258 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) The date and
location of the examination shall be established by the secretary. Applicants
who demonstrate to the secretary's satisfaction that the following requirements
have been met shall be scheduled for the next examination following the filing
of the application:
(a) Effective June 1,
1988, successful completion of a course of study in an approved massage
program; or
(b) Effective June 1,
1988, successful completion of an apprenticeship program established by the
board; and
(c) Be eighteen years
of age or older.
In addition, the
secretary shall establish a deadline for receipt of completed and approved
applications ((shall be received sixty days before the scheduled examination)).
(2) The board or its
designee shall examine each applicant in a written ((and practical))
examination determined most effective on subjects appropriate to the massage
scope of practice. The subjects may include anatomy, kinesiology, physiology,
pathology, principles of human behavior, massage theory and practice, hydrotherapy,
hygiene, first aid, Washington law pertaining to the practice of massage, and
such other subjects as the board may deem useful to test applicant's fitness to
practice massage therapy. Such examinations shall be limited in purpose to
determining whether the applicant possesses the minimum skill and knowledge
necessary to practice competently.
(3) ((The
examination papers, all grading of examinations, and the grading of any
practical work,)) All records of a candidate's performance shall be
preserved for a period of not less than one year after the board has made and
published decisions thereupon. All examinations shall be conducted by the
board under fair and impartial methods as determined by the secretary.
(4) An applicant who
fails to make the required grade in the first examination is entitled to take
up to two additional examinations upon the payment of a fee for each subsequent
examination determined by the secretary as provided in RCW 43.70.250. Upon
failure of three examinations, the secretary may invalidate the original
application and require such remedial education as is required by the board
before admission to future examinations.
(5) The board may
approve an examination prepared or administered, or both, by a private testing
agency or association of licensing boards for use by an applicant in meeting
the licensing requirement.
Sec. 18. RCW 18.30.020 and 1995 c
1 s 3 (Initiative Measure No. 607) are each amended to read as follows:
(1) Before making and
fitting a denture, a denturist shall examine the patient's oral cavity.
(a) If the examination
gives the denturist reasonable cause to believe that there is an abnormality or
disease process that requires medical or dental treatment, the denturist shall
immediately refer the patient to a dentist or physician. In such cases, the
denturist shall take no further action to manufacture or place a denture until
the patient has been examined by a dentist or physician and the dentist or
physician gives written clearance that the denture will pose no threat to the
patient's health.
(b) If the examination
reveals the need for tissue or teeth modification in order to assure proper fit
of a full or partial denture, the denturist shall refer the patient to a dentist
and assure that the modification has been completed before taking an impression
for the completion of the denture.
(2) A denturist who
makes or places a denture in a manner not consistent with this section is
subject to the sanctions provided in chapter 18.130 RCW, the uniform
disciplinary act.
(3) A denturist must
successfully complete special training in oral pathology prescribed by the ((board))
secretary, whether as part of an approved associate degree program or
equivalent training, and pass an examination prescribed by the ((board))
secretary, which may be a part of the examination for licensure to
become a licensed denturist.
Sec. 19. RCW 18.30.080 and 1995 c
1 s 9 (Initiative Measure No. 607) are each amended to read as follows:
The secretary shall:
(1) In consultation
with the board, determine the qualifications of persons applying for licensure
under this chapter;
(2) In consultation
with the board, prescribe, administer, and determine the requirements for
examinations under this chapter and establish a passing grade for licensure
under this chapter;
(3) In consultation
with the board, adopt rules under chapter 34.05 RCW to carry out the provisions
of this chapter;
(4) In consultation
with the board, set all licensure, examination, and renewal fees in accordance
with RCW 43.70.250;
(5) Evaluate and
designate those schools from which graduation will be accepted as proof of an
applicant's completion of course work requirements for licensure;
(6) Act as the
disciplining authority under this chapter in accordance with the uniform
disciplinary act, chapter 18.130 RCW, which governs unlicensed practice, the
issuance and denial of licenses, and the disciplining of license holders under
this chapter;
(7) Issue
licenses for the practice of denturism under this chapter;
(((2))) (8)
Administer oaths and subpoena witnesses for the purpose of carrying out the
activities authorized under this chapter;
(((3))) (9)
Establish forms and procedures necessary to administer this chapter;
(((4))) (10)
Hire clerical, administrative, investigative, and other staff as needed to
implement this chapter and act on behalf of the board and the secretary;
and
(((5))) (11)
Issue licenses of endorsement for applicants from states ((that maintain
standards of practice)) with substantially equivalent licensing
standards to this state.
Sec. 20. RCW 18.30.090 and 1995 c
1 s 10 (Initiative Measure No. 607) are each amended to read as follows:
The secretary shall
issue a license to practice denturism to an applicant who submits a completed
application, pays the appropriate fees, and meets the following requirements:
(1) A person currently
licensed to practice denturism under statutory provisions of another state ((or
federal enclave that maintains standards of practice)) with
substantially equivalent licensing standards to this chapter shall be
licensed without examination upon providing the department with the following:
(a) Proof of
successfully passing a written and clinical examination for denturism in a
state that the ((board)) secretary has determined has
substantially equivalent standards as those in this chapter in both the written
and clinical examinations; and
(b) An affidavit from
the state agency where the person is licensed or certified attesting to the
fact of the person's licensure or certification.
(2) A person graduating
from a formal denturism program shall be licensed if he or she:
(a) Documents successful
completion of formal training with a major course of study in denturism of not
less than two years in duration at an educational institution recognized by the
((board)) secretary; and
(b) Passes a written
and clinical examination approved by the ((board)) secretary.
(3) An applicant who
does not otherwise qualify under subsection (1) or (2) of this section shall be
licensed within two years of December 8, 1994, if he or she:
(a) Provides to the ((board))
secretary three affidavits by persons other than family members
attesting to the applicant's employment in denture technology for at least five
years, or provides documentation of at least four thousand hours of practical
work within denture technology;
(b) Provides
documentation of successful completion of a training course approved by the ((board))
secretary or completion of an equivalent course approved by the ((board))
secretary; and
(c) Passes a written
and clinical examination administered by the ((board)) secretary.
Sec. 21. RCW 18.30.100 and 1995 c
1 s 11 (Initiative Measure No. 607) are each amended to read as follows:
The ((board)) secretary
shall administer the examinations for licensing under this chapter, subject to
the following requirements:
(1) Examinations shall
determine the qualifications, fitness, and ability of the applicant to practice
denturism. The test shall include a written examination and a practical
demonstration of skills.
(2) Examinations shall
be held at least annually.
(3) The first examination
shall be conducted not later than July 1, 1995.
(4) The written
examination shall cover the following subjects: (a) Head and oral anatomy and
physiology; (b) oral pathology; (c) partial denture construction and design;
(d) microbiology; (e) clinical dental technology; (f) dental laboratory
technology; (g) clinical jurisprudence; (h) asepsis; (i) medical emergencies;
and (j) cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
(5) Upon payment of the
appropriate fee, an applicant who fails either the written or practical
examination may have additional opportunities to take the portion of the
examination that he or she failed.
The ((board or))
secretary may hire trained persons licensed under this chapter to prepare,
administer, and grade the examinations or may contract with regional
examiners who meet qualifications adopted by the ((board)) secretary.
Sec. 22. RCW 18.30.110 and 1995 c
1 s 12 (Initiative Measure No. 607) are each amended to read as follows:
The department shall
charge and collect the fees established by the ((board)) secretary.
Fees collected shall be placed in the health professions account under RCW
43.70.320.
Sec. 23. RCW 18.30.130 and 1995 c
1 s 14 (Initiative Measure No. 607) are each amended to read as follows:
The ((board)) secretary
shall establish by rule the administrative requirements for renewal of licenses
to practice denturism, but shall not increase the licensure requirements
provided in this chapter. The ((board)) secretary shall
establish a renewal and late renewal penalty in accordance with RCW 43.70.250.
Failure to renew shall invalidate the license and all privileges granted by the
license. The ((board)) secretary shall determine by rule whether
a license shall be canceled for failure to renew and shall establish procedures
and prerequisites for relicensure.
Sec. 24. RCW 18.30.140 and 1995 c
1 s 15 (Initiative Measure No. 607) are each amended to read as follows:
(1) An individual may
place his or her license on inactive status. The holder of an inactive license
shall not practice denturism in this state without first activating the
license.
(2) The inactive
renewal fee shall be established by the ((board)) secretary.
Failure to renew an inactive license shall result in cancellation in the same
manner as failure to renew an active license results in cancellation.
(3) An inactive license
may be placed in an active status upon compliance with rules established by the
((board)) secretary.
(4) The provisions
relating to denial, suspension, and revocation of a license are applicable to
an inactive license, except that when proceedings to suspend or revoke an
inactive license have been initiated, the license shall remain inactive until
the proceedings have been completed.
NEW SECTION. Sec.
25. RCW 18.30.070 and 1995 c
1 s 8 (Initiative Measure No. 607) are each repealed.
NEW SECTION. Sec.
26. A new section is added
to chapter 18.130 RCW to read as follows:
The secretary of health
shall review and coordinate all proposed rules, interpretive statements, policy
statements, and declaratory orders, as defined in chapter 34.05 RCW, that are
proposed for adoption or issuance by any health profession board or commission
vested with rule-making authority identified under RCW 18.130.040(2)(b). The
secretary shall review the proposed policy statements and declaratory orders
against criteria that include the effect of the proposed rule, statement, or
order upon existing health care policies and practice of health professionals.
Within thirty days of the receipt of a proposed rule, interpretive statement,
policy statement, or declaratory order from the originating board or
commission, the secretary shall inform the board or commission of the results
of the review, and shall provide any comments or suggestions that the secretary
deems appropriate. Emergency rule making is not subject to this review
process. The secretary is authorized to adopt rules and procedures for the
coordination and review under this section.
NEW SECTION. Sec.
27. Sections 18 through 25 of
this act are necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace,
health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public
institutions, and shall take effect immediately.
