Title: An act relating to the nursing care quality assurance commission.

Brief Description: Modifying the composition of the nursing care quality assurance commission.

Sponsors: Senators Franklin, Benton, Thibaudeau, Keiser, Benson, Kline and McAuliffe.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Health & Long-Term Care: 2/7/05, 2/23/05 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5598 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.Signed by Senators Keiser, Chair; Thibaudeau, Vice Chair; Deccio, Ranking Minority Member; Benson, Brandland, Franklin, Johnson, Kastama, Kline, Parlette and Poulsen.

Staff: Stephanie Yurcisin (786-7438)

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 disciplining authority for the 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 Substitute 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; and at least one must be a nurse manager or executive. The Governor must consider nursing members who are recommended for appointment by the appropriate professional associations.

Experience requirements for all members of the commission who are nurses are reduced from five to three years, except for the recent graduate position.

When pro tem members are appointed, reasonable efforts should be made to ensure that at least one pro tem member is a registered nurse who practices and who has graduated from a nursing program within the preceding three years.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill: A technical change is made to allow a nurse executive to substitute for a nurse manager on the board if necessary.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Testimony For: Having diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise on the commission is very beneficial. Because pro tem members are already being utilized, the cost increase is very negligible. There is support for having the commission specifically include a long-term care specialist.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Julie Peterson, Washington Association of Housing and Services for the Aging; Joanna Boatman, Washington State Nurses Association; Mary Walker, Seattle University College of Nursing.