HOUSE BILL REPORT
SHB 1270
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 House:
March 5, 2013
Title: An act relating to making the board of denturists the disciplining authority for licensed denturists.
Brief Description: Making the board of denturists the disciplining authority for licensed denturists.
Sponsors: House Committee on Health Care & Wellness (originally sponsored by Representatives Morrell, Schmick, Green, Harris, Cody and Ryu).
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Health Care & Wellness: 2/5/13, 2/8/13 [DPS].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 3/5/13, 97-0.
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE & WELLNESS |
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 16 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Jinkins, Vice Chair; Schmick, Ranking Minority Member; Hope, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Angel, Clibborn, Green, Harris, Manweller, Moeller, Morrell, Riccelli, Ross, Short, Tharinger and Van De Wege.
Staff: Jim Morishima (786-7191).
Background:
Licensed denturists are authorized to:
make, place, construct, alter, reproduce, or repair a denture; and
take impressions and furnish or supply a denture directly to a person or advise the use of a denture, and maintain a facility for the same.
To be licensed, a denturist must either:
graduate from an approved educational program and pass an examination; or
be licensed in another state and provide proof of passage of examination.
The Board of Denturists (BOD) consists of seven members, four licensed denturists, two persons who are not affiliated with any health profession at least one of whom must be over the age of 65, and one licensed dentist. The BOD's duties include:
determining the qualifications of applicants;
prescribing, administering, and determining the requirements for examinations;
adopting rules;
providing requirements for continuing competency; and
evaluating and approving schools from which graduation is acceptable proof of an applicant's fulfillment of the required coursework for licensure.
The Secretary of Health is the disciplining authority for licensed denturists under the Uniform Disciplinary Act (UDA). In addition to his or her duties under the UDA, the Secretary of Health must:
issue denturist licenses;
determine whether military experience is substantially equivalent to state licensing standards; and
determine license renewal requirements.
Summary of Substitute Bill:
The BOD is made the disciplining authority for licensed denturists under the UDA. Denturist-related duties assigned to the Secretary of Health are given to the BOD, except for the issuance of licenses.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed, except for section 8 designating the Board of Denturists as the disciplining authority for licensing denturists, which takes effect July 1, 2016.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) Health professionals should be regulated by members of their own professions. Denturists in Washington have higher fees than in other states where they are governed by independent boards. These fees are being driven by disciplinary rates. This bill will help increase efficiency and drive down costs by allowing the BOD to be in charge of disciplining licensed denturists.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Representative Morrell, prime sponsor; Carolyn Logue, Eric Hansen, and Paul Robbins, Washington Denturist Association.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.