HB 2260 - DIGEST

 

     Requires the nursing quality assurance commission in conjunction with the department of social and health services, the department of health, and other appropriate agencies to, by December 1997, prepare a report to the legislature on possible remedies to the statutory inconsistencies contained in the October 1996 report to the legislature including issues relating to "assignment" of nursing care tasks.

     Requires the department of health, in consultation with the nursing care quality assurance commission and appropriate advocates from the disability and aging communities, including the department of social and health services, to adopt rules necessary to implement RCW 18.88A.140(4), 18.79.240(1)(s), and 18.64.255(4) to specifically address accountability and liability issues of health professionals involved in the delivery of health care to individuals described in those sections.  The department of health shall also make recommendations to remove barriers from existing rules that would prohibit implementation of RCW 18.88A.140(4), 18.79.240(1)(s), and 18.64.255(4).  The department of health has the authority to adopt such rules and shall do so by December 31, 1997.

     Requires the department of social and health services, in consultation with interested parties and appropriate advocates from the disability and aging communities, including the department of health, to adopt necessary rules that address consent and determination of ability to self-direct and that remove restrictions in programs authorized under this chapter and chapter 74.39A RCW to allow self-directed care, and shall do so by December 31, 1997.

     Requires the nursing care quality assurance commission to convene a work group in conjunction with the department of health, the department of social and health services, and appropriate advocates from the aging and disability communities to propose rules necessary to implement RCW 18.88A.140(4).  The department of health has the authority to adopt such rules and shall do so by December 31, 1997.