BILL REQ. #:  S-3978.1 

Read first time 01/20/10.   Referred to Committee on Health & Long-Term Care.

     AN ACT Relating to license renewals; amending RCW 18.32.180; adding a new section to chapter 18.32 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 48.43 RCW; and providing an expiration date.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 18.32.180 and 1999 c 364 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Every person licensed to practice dentistry in this state shall renew his or her license and comply with administrative procedures, administrative requirements, continuing education requirements, and fees as provided in RCW 43.70.250 and 43.70.280. The commission, in its sole discretion, may permit the applicant to be licensed without examination, and with or without conditions, if it is satisfied that the applicant meets all the requirements for licensure in this state and is competent to engage in the practice of dentistry.
     (2) The commission shall provide a grace period of thirty days to any person licensed to practice dentistry under this chapter who fails to renew his or her license by his or her renewal date. The commission shall provide the grace period only if the person has complied with all of the other requirements for renewal other than submission of the requisite paperwork and fees. During the grace period, the commission may not suspend or revoke the person's license.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 18.32 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) By December 31, 2010, the commission shall retroactively relicense any person whose license was suspended or revoked during the twelve months prior to the effective date of this section if:
     (a) The suspension or revocation was because of the person's failure to renew his or her license;
     (b) The person would have qualified for the grace period established in RCW 18.32.180(2); and
     (c) The person renewed his or her license within the grace period.
     (2) The commission shall alter its records to reflect any relicensing under this section.
     (3) This section expires January 1, 2011.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 48.43 RCW to read as follows:
     For purposes of payment, a carrier shall treat a licensed dentist who has utilized the grace period established in RCW 18.32.180, or who has been relicensed under section 2 of this act, as if the dentist had renewed his or her license by his or her renewal date.