SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6714

              As Passed Senate, February 14, 2000

Title:  An act relating to continuing education requirements for respiratory care practitioners.

Brief Description:  Establishing continuing education requirements for respiratory care practitioners.

Sponsors:  Senator Thibaudeau.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Health & Long‑Term Care:  2/2/2000 [DP].

Passed Senate, 2/14/2000, 48-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE

Majority Report:  Do pass.

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

Staff:  Joan K. Mell (786-7447)

Background:  Respiratory care practitioners are licensed by the Department of Health.  Respiratory care practitioners treat, manage, test, and rehabilitate patients with cardiopulmonary problems, under the direct order of a qualified physician.

Continuing education is a method of staying current with new developments in science and technology by taking approved courses or learning opportunities related to a field of expertise.  A number of the regulated health professions require continuing education as a condition for the renewal of licenses.  The Legislature has found that requirements for licensees to engage in continuing education as a condition of continued licensure have not been proven to be an effective method of guaranteeing or improving the competence of licensees or the quality of care received by the consumer.  Any legislative proposal for continuing education is supposed to be accompanied by evidence that continuing education is proven effective for the profession according to statute.

Summary of Bill:  Respiratory care practitioners must complete a minimum of 30 hours of continuing education approved by the Secretary of Health every two years.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 30, 2000.

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

Testimony For:  Technological advances in the practice require continuing education to keep current.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Jeff Larsen, Washington Society of Respiratory Care; Gary Wickman, Christopher Cella, Resp. Care Society of Washington.