BILL REQ. #:  H-4329.1 

Read first time 01/15/10.   Referred to Committee on Health Care & Wellness.

     AN ACT Relating to pain management; adding new sections to chapter 18.130 RCW; and providing an effective date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 18.130 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) By November 15, 2010, the secretary shall, by rule, develop criteria for approving pain management education programs for purposes of section 2 of this act.
     (2) Annually, beginning January 1, 2011, the secretary shall use the criteria developed under subsection (1) of this section to publish a list of approved pain management education programs.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 18.130 RCW to read as follows:
     A license holder who is authorized by law to prescribe a Schedule II controlled substance shall complete one pain management education program approved by the secretary under section 1 of this act as part of his or her continuing education requirements. The license holder shall complete the education program:
     (1) Within twenty-four months of the effective date of this section if the license holder was licensed prior to the effective date of this section; or
     (2) Prior to renewing his or her license if the license holder was licensed on or after the effective date of this section.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   Section 2 of this act takes effect January 1, 2011.