SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5795
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, February 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: Senators Kilmer, Haugen, Carrell, Murray, Keiser, Delvin and Jacobsen.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Health & Long-Term Care: 2/14/07, 2/21/07 [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, 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: the inability to walk 200 feet without stopping to rest, limited mobility as the result of arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic condition, use of an assistive device, use of portable oxygen, impairment caused by lung or cardiovascular disease, or 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 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: Being given authority to evaluate as to a disability for this purpose is well within the law relating to physician assistant practice and is within the scope of practice. This bill corrects what was originally an oversight, that physician assistants should have been included. This will take one more piece of paper off the doctor's desk and help relieve workload.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Carl Nelson, Washington Academy of Physician Assistants; Kaye Kvam, Washington Academy of Physician Assistants; Linda Dale, Washington Academy of Physician Assistants.