SENATE BILL REPORT
SHB 2414
As Reported By Senate Committee On:
Health & Long-Term Care, February 19, 2004
Title: An act relating to the nursing care quality assurance commission.
Brief Description: Refining membership of the nursing care quality assurance commission.
Sponsors: House Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by Representatives Kenney, Campbell, Morrell, Hankins, Cody, Clibborn, Edwards, Armstrong, Ormsby, Conway, Dickerson and Moeller).
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Health & Long-Term Care: 2/19/04 [DP].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Deccio, Chair; Winsley, Vice Chair; Brandland, Franklin, Keiser, Parlette and Thibaudeau.
Staff: Tanya Karwaki (786-7447)
Background: The Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission is responsible for the regulation of advanced registered nurse practitioners, licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, certified nursing assistants, and registered nursing assistants. Among its duties, the commission approves curricula and functions as the disciplinary authority for purposes of the Uniform Disciplinary Act.
The commission consists of 11 members, appointed by the Governor to four-year terms. No person may serve as a member of the commission for more than two consecutive terms. The commission is comprised of three registered nurse members, two advanced registered nurse practitioner members, three licensed practical nurse members, two public members, and one nonvoting midwife member.
Summary of Bill: The Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission is increased to 15 members. The number of registered nurse members is increased from three to seven, the number of public members is increased from two to three, and the nonvoting midwife member is removed. Of the members who are registered nurses: at least one must be on the faculty at a four-year university nursing program; at least one must be on the faculty at a two-year community college or technical college nursing program; at least two must be staff nurses providing direct patient care; at least one must be a nurse executive or nurse manager; and one must have graduated from nursing school within three years of appointment and have less than three years of experience.
Experience requirements for all members of the commission who are nurses are reduced from five to three years, except for the recent graduate position.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: This bill is a great bill. Thank you for passing it out.
Testimony Against: None.
Testified: Tammi Warnke, ARNPs United (pro).