FINAL BILL REPORT

ESB 5206

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.

Background: Fees charged for licensing of health care professionals cannot exceed the cost to the Department of Health for the licensing activities and can include the costs of inspections.

The University of Washington (UW) currently provides online access to selected vital clinical resources, medical journals, decision support tools, and evidence-based reviews of procedures, drugs, and devices to certain health professions. These professions include physicians and physician assistants, osteopathic physicians and osteopathic physician assistants, naturopaths, podiatrists, chiropractors, psychologists, registered nurses, optometrists, mental health counselors, massage therapists, clinical social workers, midwives, marriage and family therapists, and east Asian medicine practitioners.

This service is provided through the health sciences library. UW provides an annual accounting of the use of the funds transferred for this purpose and lists the categories of health professionals using these services. This information is made available to the health care committees of the Legislature.

Participating health profession's license fees include up to an additional $25 to pay for this service.

Summary: Licensed practical nurses, occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, dietitians, nutritionists, and speech-language pathologists are added to the list of health care professionals who may have online access to research resources through the health sciences library at UW. The license fees for these additional health care professionals may include up to an additional $25 for this purpose.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate	47	1
House	95	1	(House amended)
Senate	47	1	(Senate concurred)