HOUSE BILL REPORT
SSB 6470
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 training medical students, nurses, and medical technicians and assistants to work with patients with developmental disabilities.
Brief Description: Training medical students, nurses, and medical technicians and assistants to work with patients with developmental disabilities.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care (originally sponsored by Senators Kauffman, Schoesler, Marr, Prentice, Tom, Rasmussen, Kline, Kohl-Welles, Kilmer and Roach).
Brief History:
Health Care & Wellness: 2/25/08, 2/27/08 [DPA].
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill (As Amended by House Committee) |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE & WELLNESS
Majority Report: Do pass as amended. Signed by 8 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Morrell, Vice Chair; Barlow, Campbell, Green, Moeller, Pedersen and Schual-Berke.
Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 5 members: Representatives Hinkle, Ranking Minority Member; Alexander, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Condotta, DeBolt and Seaquist.
Staff: Chris Blake (786-7392).
Background:
The Secretary of Health and the 16 health professions boards and commissions regulate 62
health care professions. These entities conduct several functions including establishing
education and training requirements, enforcing licensing standards, and conducting
disciplinary proceedings. Approximately 300,000 people hold a credential to practice a
health profession in Washington.
The Department of Social and Health Services (Department) provides services to persons
with developmental disabilities designed to assist those persons in acquiring and maintaining
life skills. A developmental disability is a condition which started before the age 18, results
in a substantial handicap, is expected to continue indefinitely, and is attributable to mental
retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, or another neurological or other condition
similar to mental retardation.
Summary of Amended Bill:
Subject to available funding, the Department shall administer a grant program (program) to
support research and training projects to improve services to people with developmental
disabilities. The program shall support incentive grants to students and faculty at medical
schools, nursing schools, and special and technical care programs at technical schools. The
Department must submit a report to the Legislature by December 1, 2008, about the incentive
grants awarded under the program, as well as other efforts to expand or improve training for
students in treating individuals with developmental disabilities.
The bill is null and void if not referenced in the operating budget.
Amended Bill Compared to Substitute Bill:
The substitute bill requires the Department to consult with the Developmental Disabilities
Council and the state-designated protection and advocacy system when implementing the
grant program.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date of Amended Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed. However, the bill is null and void unless funded in the budget.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) Patients with developmental disabilities have cognitive and physical challenges
to receiving health care services. Having staff with training is important for both the provider
and the patient. People with developmental disabilities have a right to high quality health
care. There is a great lack of understanding among health care providers in the care of
developmentally disabled patients due to inadequate training and staffing. This concept
developed as part of a national initiative to get more training for students in health care
programs.
(In support with concerns) As the developmentally disabled population ages, providers need
to know how to treat the effects of aging on developmentally disabled patients. This bill is a
positive step forward to training doctors in how to be effective in treating developmentally
disabled patients. There should be public input from the developmentally disabled
community.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: (In support) Senator Kauffman, prime sponsor; and Maureen Durkan
and Rick Jensen, Action for Developmental Disabilities.
(In support with concerns) David Lord, Disability Rights Washington.