SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SHB 1838

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

            Health & Long-Term Care, March 31, 1999

Title:  An act relating to the impaired dentist program.

Brief Description:  Creating the impaired dentist account.

Sponsors:  House Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by Representatives Schual‑Berke, Mulliken and Ogden).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Health & Long‑Term Care:  3/29/99, 3/31/99 [DPA].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

  Signed by Senators Thibaudeau, Chair; Wojahn, Vice Chair; Costa, Deccio, Franklin, Johnson and Winsley.

Staff:  Christopher Blake (786-7446)

Background:  The Dental Quality Assurance Commission administers an impaired dentist program for rehabilitating dentists who are impaired by substance abuse.  This program is intended for dentists who volunteer or are required by the commission to participate in treatment as a condition for deferring sanctions imposed by the Uniform Disciplinary Act, such as license revocation or suspension.

This program is funded through a surcharge placed on dental licensing fees of up to $15.  The surcharge is currently set at $5.  Some feel that by increasing the fee there will be greater flexibility in contracting for substance abuse rehabilitation services for the program.

Summary of Amended Bill:  The surcharge on dental licenses for funding the impaired dentist program is raised up to $25.

Amended Bill Compared to Substitute Bill:  The surcharge is raised up to $25, rather than being set at $25.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on March 24, 1999.

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

Testimony For:  Raising the surcharge on dentist licensing fees for the Impaired Dentist Program will give the Dental Quality Assurance Commission greater flexibility in contracting for treatment services.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO: Representative Schual-Berke, prime sponsor; Linda Hull, Washington State Dental Association; Patty Hayes, Department of Health.