HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2518


This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Reported by House Committee On:
Health Care & Wellness

Title: An act relating to a retired volunteer medical worker license.

Brief Description: Concerning retired volunteer medical worker licenses.

Sponsors: Representatives Schual-Berke, Hinkle, Pedersen, Green, Morrell, Moeller, Seaquist, VanDeWege, Ormsby and Cody.

Brief History:

Health Care & Wellness: 1/14/08, 1/21/08 [DP].

Brief Summary of Bill
  • Allows certain individuals from other states and territories, the District of Columbia, or a foreign country to obtain a retired volunteer medical worker license if they previously held a health profession license in that jurisdiction.


HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE & WELLNESS

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 11 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Morrell, Vice Chair; Hinkle, Ranking Minority Member; Alexander, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Barlow, Condotta, DeBolt, Green, Moeller, Pedersen and Schual-Berke.

Staff: Chris Blake (786-7392).

Background:

Retired volunteer medical workers are individuals who have held an active license issued by the Secretary of Health or a health profession board or commission within the previous 10 years, do not have any restrictions against their previous license, and are registered as a volunteer with a local emergency services or management organization. They may only practice upon activation by their local emergency services or management organization when there is a declared emergency, disaster, or authorized training. They must practice under an assigned supervisor. To renew a retired volunteer medical worker license, the license holder must complete a basic first aid course, a bloodborne pathogens course, and a CPR course every three years.


Summary of Bill:

Individuals who previously held a license to practice a health profession in another state or territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or a foreign country may apply for a retired volunteer medical worker license if that jurisdiction's licensing standards are substantially similar to those of Washington. The individual must have held the license within 10 years of applying for the initial retired volunteer medical worker license.


Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) Current law does not allow emergency response organizations who use volunteers to recruit retired physicians from the military or outside of Washington. Without reciprocity many retired health care providers who would like to volunteer their services are not be able to serve.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Schual-Berke, prime sponsor; Dr. Diana To Yu, Thurston County, Washington, Region 3 Medical Reserve Corps.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.