HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2364

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                         Health Care

Title:  An act relating to extending the time for the secretary of health to establish administrative procedures and requirements for health professions.

Brief Description:  Extending the time for the secretary of health to establish administrative procedures and requirements for health professions.

Sponsors:  Representatives Dyer, Cody and Backlund; by request of Department of Health.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Health Care:  1/22/98 [DPS].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 9 members:  Representatives Dyer, Chairman; Backlund, Vice Chairman; Skinner, Vice Chairman; Cody, Ranking Minority Member; Anderson; Conway; Sherstad; Wood and Zellinsky.

Staff:  John Welsh (786-7133).

Background:  In 1996 the Legislature directed the Secretary of Health to establish administrative procedures and administrative requirements, and fees for initial, renewal, and reissue of a credential to practice a regulated health service.  This includes modifying the duration of the license, certification or registration periods if resulting in more economical or efficient government without adversely affecting the public health and safety.  The process involves some 43 health professions regulated by the Department of Health.  The secretary=s authority terminates July 1, 1998, reverting to the various boards and commissions.

Final rules are anticipated by January 1998.  However, the secretary asserts that the department needs an additional year to meaningfully assess the impact of this consolidation of administrative functions and to make a report to the Legislature.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  The termination date of July 1, 1998, of the secretary=s authority to establish administrative procedures and administrative requirements is extended to March 1, 1999.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The termination date of July 1, 1998, is extended to March 1, 1999, instead of July 1, 1999.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  The department needs additional time to meaningfully assess the impact of consolidation of administrative functions and report to the Legislature.

Testimony Against:  There is a general concern with the secretary possessing authority rightly belonging to boards and commissions, but the shorter time, and reporting to the Legislature during the next legislative session provides accountability.

Testified:  Carl Nelson, Washington State Medical Association; and Ron Weaver, Department of Health (pro).