Brief Description: Making corrections to the department of health's professional and facilities licensing provisions.

Sponsors: Representatives Moeller and Pflug; by request of Department of Health.

Hearing Date: 1/28/03

Staff: Chris Blake (786-7392).

Background:

The Department of Health and the various professional boards regulate 55 types of health care professions and 45 types of health related facilities and services. These entities issue credentials, establish minimum standards for professional practice, and take disciplinary actions against credentialed members of the profession that engage in unprofessional conduct. Disciplinary actions for health care providers who are licensed, certified, or registered are generally governed by the Uniform Disciplinary Act. Disciplinary actions for health-related facilities and credentialed health professionals not covered by the Uniform Disciplinary Act are governed by the Administrative Procedures Act.

Summary of Bill:

The following technical changes are made:

      •    A reference to fees for physician "certificates" is changed to "licenses."

      •    A drafting error that references facilities licensed under "chapter 71.12 RCW" is changed to "chapter 71A.12 RCW."

      •    One of the two identical statutory sections stating that those who purchase, distribute, or dispense legend drugs must maintain records to account for the receipt and disposition of these drugs is eliminated.

Dispensing optician apprentices are added to the Uniform Disciplinary Act. This provision takes effect on July 1, 2003.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not Requested.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed, except section 2, relating to dispensing optician apprentices, which takes effect on July 1, 2003.