Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Health Care & Wellness Committee

HB 1061

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.

Brief Summary of Bill

Increases the number of public members on the Washington State Dental Quality Assurance Commission from two to nine.

Decreases the number of dentist members on the Washington State Dental Quality Assurance Commission from 12 to six and the number of expanded-function dental auxiliaries from two to one.

Requires any panels used by the Washington State Dental Quality Assurance Commission to have a majority of public members.

Background:

The Washington State Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC) is responsible for the licensing and discipline of dentists. The DQAC consists of 12 dentists, two expanded-function dental auxiliaries, and two public members. All members of the DQAC serve four-year terms. Of the dentist members, four must practice dentistry east of the Cascade Mountains. The public members may not be a member of any other health care licensing board or commission, have a fiduciary obligation to a facility rendering health services regulated by the DQAC, or have a material or financial interest in the rendering of health services regulated by the DQAC.

In conducting its duties, the DQAC, like other boards and commissions, may use panels of three or more members.

Summary of Bill:

The number of public members on the DQAC is increased from two to nine. The number of dentist members on the DQAC is decreased from 12 to six and the number of expanded-function dental auxiliaries is decreased from two to one. Of the six dentists on the DQAC, two must practice dentistry east of the Cascade Mountains.

To meet the new membership requirements, the membership of the DQAC is temporarily allowed to exceed 16 members. The Governor must appoint an additional seven public members to the DQAC, who will initially serve staggered terms; subsequent public members will serve four-year terms. The positions on the Commission occupied by dentists or expanded-function dental auxiliaries will be eliminated as their terms expire until the membership of the DQAC consists of nine public members, six dentist members, and one expanded-function dental auxiliary member. During the time the membership of the DQAC exceeds 16 members, the Department of Health may temporarily increase fees to account for the extra costs associated with the increased membership.

Any panel used by the DQAC in carrying out its duties must have a majority of public members.

Five years after the DQAC reaches its target membership, the Secretary of Health, in consultation with the DQAC, must evaluate the Commission's ability to carry out its duties. In performing this evaluation, the Secretary of Health must consider whether the changed membership serves the public interest, increases public safety, and increases public confidence in the dental profession. A report to the Legislature is due on November 15 in the year the evaluation is performed.