BILL REQ. #:  H-0440.2 

Read first time 01/13/2005.   Referred to Committee on Health Care.

     AN ACT Relating to the nursing care quality assurance commission; and amending RCW 18.79.070.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 18.79.070 and 1994 sp.s. c 9 s 407 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The state nursing care quality assurance commission is established, consisting of ((eleven)) fifteen members to be appointed by the governor to four-year terms. The governor shall consider nursing members who are recommended for appointment by the appropriate professional associations in the state. No person may serve as a member of the commission for more than two consecutive full terms.
     (2) There must be ((three)) seven registered nurse members, two advanced registered nurse practitioner members, three licensed practical nurse members, ((two)) and three public members((, and one nonvoting midwife member licensed under chapter 18.50 RCW,)) on the commission. Each member of the commission must be a citizen of the United States and a resident of this state.
     (3)(a) Registered nurse members of the commission must:
     (((a))) (i) Be licensed as registered nurses under this chapter; and
     (((b))) (ii) Have had at least ((five)) three years' experience in the active practice of nursing and have been engaged in that practice within two years of appointment.
     (b) In addition:
     (i) At least one member must be on the faculty at a four-year university nursing program;
     (ii) At least one member must be on the faculty at a two-year community college nursing program;
     (iii) At least two members must be staff nurses providing direct patient care; and
     (iv) At least one member must be a nurse manager.
     (4) Advanced registered nurse practitioner members of the commission must:
     (a) Be licensed as advanced registered nurse practitioners under this chapter; and
     (b) Have had at least ((five)) three years' experience in the active practice of advanced registered nursing and have been engaged in that practice within two years of appointment.
     (5) Licensed practical nurse members of the commission must:
     (a) Be licensed as licensed practical nurses under this chapter; and
     (b) Have had at least ((five)) three years' actual experience as a licensed practical nurse and have been engaged in practice as a practical nurse within two years of appointment.
     (6) Public members of the commission may not be a member of any other health care licensing board or commission, or have a fiduciary obligation to a facility rendering health services regulated by the commission, or have a material or financial interest in the rendering of health services regulated by the commission.
     (((7) The nonvoting licensed midwife member of the commission must:
     (a) Be licensed as a midwife under chapter 18.50 RCW; and
     (b) Have had at least five years' actual experience as a licensed midwife and have been engaged in practice as a midwife within two years of appointment.))
     In appointing the initial members of the commission, it is the intent of the legislature that, to the extent possible, the governor appoint the existing members of the board of nursing and the board of practical nursing repealed under chapter 9, Laws of 1994 sp. sess. The governor may appoint initial members of the commission to staggered terms of from one to four years. Thereafter, all members shall be appointed to full four-year terms. Members of the commission hold office until their successors are appointed.
     When the secretary appoints pro tem members, reasonable efforts shall be made to ensure that at least one pro tem member is a registered nurse who is currently practicing and, in addition to meeting other minimum qualifications, has graduated from an associate or baccalaureate nursing program within three years of appointment.