SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SHB 2364

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

          Health & Long-Term Care, February 19, 1998

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:  House Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by Representatives Dyer, Cody and Backlund; by request of Department of Health).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Health & Long‑Term Care:  2/19/98 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Deccio, Chair; Wood, Vice Chair; Benton, Fairley, Franklin and Wojahn.

Staff:  Rhoda Jones (786-7198)

Background:  In 1996, the Legislature directed the Secretary of Health to establish uniform administrative procedures and requirements for the credentialing process across all health professions.  Some of the activities which the Department of Health sought to make more consistent included license applications, personal data questionnaires, license renewal periods and the scheduling of exams.     

Summary of Bill:   The sunset date on the secretary's authority is extended from July 1, 1998 to March 1, 1999.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  This gives the department time to see if the rules are effective.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Pat Brown, DOH (pro).