SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 1094

 

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Health & Long‑Term Care, March 28, 2001

 

Title:  An act relating to the surrender of a health care professional's license.

 

Brief Description:  Allowing a health care professional to surrender his or her license to practice.

 

Sponsors:  By House Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by Representatives Skinner, Schual‑Berke, Cody, Campbell, Conway, Ruderman, Dunshee, Alexander, Edmonds, Kenney, Edwards and Kagi).

 

Brief History: 

Committee Activity:  Health & Long‑Term Care:  3/15/01, 3/28/01 [DPA].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG‑TERM CARE

 

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

Signed by Senators Thibaudeau, Chair; Franklin, Vice Chair; Costa, Deccio, Fraser, Parlette and Winsley.

 

Staff:  Joan Mell (786‑7447)

 

Background:  The Uniform Disciplinary Act provides procedures and sanctions for unprofessional conduct committed by health professionals regulated through the Department of Health.  Sanctions include revocation or suspension of a license to practice, restriction of practice, censure or reprimand, probation, fines, corrective action, and refund of client fees.

 

The voluntary surrender by a practitioner of a license, certificate, or registration to practice is not included as sanction.

 

Summary of Amended Bill:  The surrender of a practitioner=s license to practice is included in the list of sanctions to be considered by professional disciplinary authorities in lieu of other sanctions provided under the Uniform Disciplinary Act.  Surrender of a license must be reported to the federal databank.

 

Reflexologists cannot be sanctioned for the practice of reflexology through July 2002.

 

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill:  A provision is added to clarify that surrender of a license must be reported to the federal database.  A provision is added pertaining to sanctions against reflexologists.

 

Appropriation:  None.

 

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

 

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

 

Testimony For:  The bill is needed to provide an alternative sanction for health care practitioners.  Surrender of a license would be reported to the federal databank the same way a license revocation would be reported.  The Department of Health supports the bill.

 

Testimony Against:  None.

 

Testified:  Linda Hall, WA St Dental Assn. (pro); Carl Nelson, WSMA (pro); Sue Shoblom, Dept. of Health.