SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6383

              As Passed Senate, February 12, 1998

Title:  An act relating to inactive status for physical therapists.

Brief Description:  Creating inactive license status for physical therapists.

Sponsors:  Senators Wood and Fairley.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Health & Long‑Term Care:  1/30/98, 2/3/98 [DP].

Passed Senate, 2/12/98, 47-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE

Majority Report:  Do pass.

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

Staff:  Joan K. Mell (786-7447)

Background:  Physical therapists treat physical and emotional impairments via a variety of therapeutic methods enumerated in statute, such as therapeutic exercise, posture and rehabilitation procedures and performance of treatments utilizing heat, cold, air, light, water, electricity, sound, and massage.  A person must obtain a license from the Department of Health in order to practice physical therapy.  There is no statutory provision for inactive license status.

Summary of Bill:  A provision is added to the existing statutory chapter on physical therapists.  Physical therapists can obtain an inactive status license if the person is not practicing physical therapy or providing services.  The board must prescribe requirements for maintaining an inactive status and converting from an inactive or active status.

The board establishes fees for alterations in license status.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  Inactive status licenses are good because they enable therapists to take time away from their practice without losing their licenses.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Patty Van Wagner, WSPTA (pro).