SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6361

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

           Health & Long-Term Care, January 30, 1998

Title:  An act relating to health care facility worker identification.

Brief Description:  Requiring identification badges for certain health care workers.

Sponsors:  Senators Deccio, Wojahn, Benton, Franklin, Wood, Prentice and Winsley.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Health & Long‑Term Care:  1/30/98 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6361 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

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

Staff:  Joanne Conrad (786-7472)

Background:  No statutory standards have been established to provide consistent identification to be worn by health care facility workers or volunteers.

Some patients and their families may have no way to differentiate between those who provide medical services and those who may be contracting with a facility, leasing space or providing other services.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  All persons who are health care providers, staff, employees, contractors and volunteers providing health care services directly at a hospital, clinic, pharmacy, health care provider's office, diagnostic or treatment center, neuropsychiatric or mental health facility, licensed long-term care facility, hospice, nursing home or assisted living home are required to wear visible identification, displaying their names or variants thereof,  and job title or licensed profession.  It is the responsibility of the administrators of the facilities to ensure compliance with this standard.

Immunity is provided for good faith compliance.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  Definitions of affected health care facilities and badge composition are clarified.  Nonapplicability to veterinarians and adult family home visitors and family members is stated.  Good faith compliance provides immunity.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  Identification is needed to enable consumers to know what type of health care provider is treating them.

Testimony Against:  Definitions need clarification.  Requirement should not apply to visitors and family members who live at an adult family home.  Identification should not be made too  burdensome for small organizations.

Testified:  Carl Nelson, WSMA; Ann Simons, UFCW; Ellie Manzies, NWSEIU; Ken Bertrand, Group Health; Tamara Warnke, WSNA; Jeff Larsen, Washington Residential Care Council.