HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1075
As Reported by House Committee On:
Health Care
Title: An act relating to the nursing care quality assurance commission.
Brief Description: Modifying the composition of the nursing care quality assurance commission.
Sponsors: Representatives Kenney, Morrell, Campbell, Cody, Santos, Skinner, Green, Bailey, Schual-Berke and Chase.
Brief History:
Health Care: 2/10/05, 2/15/05 [DPS].
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 15 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Campbell, Vice Chair; Morrell, Vice Chair; Bailey, Ranking Minority Member; Curtis, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Alexander, Appleton, Clibborn, Condotta, Green, Hinkle, Lantz, Moeller, Schual-Berke and Skinner.
Staff: Chris Blake (786-7392).
Background:
Responsibilities for the regulation of the 57 health care professions is divided between the
Secretary of Health (Secretary), 12 health profession boards, and four health profession
commissions. Regulatory responsibilities may include: establishing credentialing standards;
approving education and training programs; investigating complaints of unprofessional
conduct; conducting disciplinary proceedings and issuing findings based on those
proceedings; and ordering sanctions for determinations of unprofessional conduct.
The Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission (Commission) is responsible for the
regulation of advanced registered nurse practitioners, licensed practical nurses, registered
nurses, certified nursing assistants, and registered nursing assistants. This constitutes
approximately 136,000 credentialed health care professionals. The Commission currently has
11 members consisting of advanced registered nurse practitioners, registered nurses, licensed
practical nurses, members of the public, and a midwife. In comparison, the Chiropractic
Quality Assurance Commission has 14 members, the Dental Quality Assurance Commission
has 14 members, and the Medical Quality Assurance Commission has 19 members.
Summary of Substitute Bill:
The membership of the Commission is increased from 11 to 15 members.
The number of members on the Commission who must be registered nurses is increased from
three to seven. 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
college nursing program; at least two must be staff nurses providing direct patient care; and at
least one must be a nurse manager or nurse executive. Experience requirements for all
members of the Commission who are nurses are reduced from five years to three.
The number of public members on the Commission is increased from two to three. The
nonvoting midwife member of the Commission is eliminated.
When appointing members of the Commission, the Governor shall consider the
recommendations of appropriate professional associations. When appointing pro tem
members, the Secretary must make reasonable efforts to appoint one practicing registered
nurse who graduated from a nursing program within three years of appointment.
Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:
The substitute bill provides that the registered nurse member of the Commission designated
for a nurse manager may also be filled by a nurse executive.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: Nurses are the largest health profession in Washington and, therefore, we should have a larger commission to better serve these professionals. Having faculty members from nursing programs on the Commission will help it better monitor nursing schools.
Testimony Against: None.
Persons Testifying: Representative Morrell for Representative Kenney, prime sponsor; Lauri St. Ours, Northwest Assisted Living Facilities Association; Helen Kuebel, Lower Columbia College; Joanna Boatman, Washington State Nurses Association; and Julie Peterson, Washington Association of Housing and Services for the Aging.