SENATE 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 Passed Senate, February 15, 2008
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:
Committee Activity: Health & Long-Term Care: 1/30/08, 2/06/08 [DPS].
Passed Senate: 2/15/08, 47-0.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6470 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.Signed by Senators Keiser, Chair; Franklin, Vice Chair; Pflug, Ranking Minority Member; Carrell, Fairley, Kastama, Kohl-Welles and Marr.
Staff: Rhoda Donkin (786-7465)
Background: Medical literature suggests the most frequently unrecognized and poorly managed
health conditions are often those afflicting persons with developmental disabilities. These
conditions include vision and hearing impairment, dental disease, drug reactions from multiple
prescriptions, epilepsy, constipation and bowel obstruction, heart disease and infectious disease.
Successful treatment is considered more likely when clinicians are familiar with the predictable
course of health conditions in persons with developmental disabilities.
There is interest in having medical and nursing students better trained in diagnosing and treating
health issues of persons with developmental disabilities.
Summary of Substitute Bill: Faculty and medical students at the University of Washington, nursing students in nursing schools in the state, and students in technical schools may apply for incentive grants to support research and training projects focused on improving services to persons with disabilities. The Department of Social and Health Services will report to the Legislature by December 1, 2008, with information regarding incentive grants, and any efforts to improve training for students treating individuals with developmental disabilities.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill: PRO: It takes training to understand how to manage the health conditions of people who may have great difficulty expressing themselves. Emergency situations can result in tragedies when physicians and nurses have no idea how to communicate with people with developmental disabilities. Training in medical and nursing programs should address the special needs of people, especially adults, with developmental disabilities.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Kauffman, prime sponsor; Ed Holen, Developmental Disabilities Council; Maureen Durkin, Rick Jensen, Action for Developmental Disabilities; Melanie Stewart, Washington Osteopathic Medical Association.