SENATE BILL REPORT
HB 1505
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 Senate Committee On:
Health & Long-Term Care, March 21, 2007
Title: An act relating to allowing physician assistants to determine disability for special parking privileges.
Brief Description: Regarding physician assistants determining disability for special parking privileges.
Sponsors: Representatives Clibborn, Curtis, Seaquist, Hinkle, Morrell, Linville, Armstrong, Rodne, B. Sullivan, Ericksen, Ericks, Roberts, Darneille, Moeller and McCune.
Brief History: Passed House: 2/28/07, 97-0.
Committee Activity: Health & Long-Term Care: 3/21/07 [DP].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE
Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators Keiser, Chair; Franklin, Vice Chair; Pflug, Ranking Minority Member; Carrell, Fairley, Kastama, Kohl-Welles, Marr and Parlette.
Staff: Edith Rice (786-7444)
Background: Special parking privileges can be granted to any person who has a disability that limits or impairs the ability to walk and meets one of the following criteria: (1) the inability to walk 200 feet without stopping to rest; (2) limited mobility as the result of arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic condition; (3) use of an assistive device; (4) use of portable oxygen; (5) impairment caused by lung or cardiovascular disease; or (6) an acute sensitivity to automobile emissions which impairs the ability to walk. An application for special parking privileges requires the signature of a licensed physician or advanced registered nurse practitioner to determine if one of these criteria is met or if the disability is comparable in severity to those criteria listed.
Summary of Bill: In addition to a licensed physician, or a licensed, advanced registered nurse practitioner, a licensed physician assistant (PA) can determine if one of the appropriate criteria is met, or that the applicant's disability is comparable in severity to the other criteria.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: PAs already are seeing these patients and it takes additional time to get the physician signature, both for the PA and the doctor. This bill will save us valuable time. It will make it clear that this is in line with our practice. We are a resource that should be utilized. PAs are a resource that should be utilized.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Carl Nelson, Washington Association of Physician Assistants; Kaye Kvam, Denise Grushalla, Arlene Martin, Washington Academy of Physician Assistants.