BILL REQ. #: H-1728.1

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SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1555
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State of Washington

63rd Legislature

2013 Regular Session

By House Health Care & Wellness (originally sponsored by Representatives Green, Warnick, Cody, Morrell, and Ryu)

READ FIRST TIME 02/22/13.

AN ACT Relating to the education of surgical technologists; amending RCW 18.215.020; adding new sections to chapter 18.215 RCW; creating a new section; and providing an effective date.

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

Sec. 1 RCW 18.215.020 and 1999 c 335 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
No person may represent oneself as a surgical technologist by use of any title or description, or perform the functions of a surgical technologist, without being registered by the department under the provisions of this chapter.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 18.215 RCW to read as follows:
     In order to perform functions in a hospital licensed under chapter 70.41 RCW, a registered surgical technologist must first submit evidence of any one of the following to the department in a manner acceptable to the secretary:
     (1) Successful completion of a nationally and programmatically accredited surgical technology program;
     (2) Successful completion of a surgical technology program offered by the United States armed forces; or
     (3) Performance of surgical technology functions in a hospital for a period of one year in the five years immediately preceding January 1, 2015.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 18.215 RCW to read as follows:
     Nothing in this chapter prohibits or affects:
     (1) A person licensed under this title acting within his or her scope of practice;
     (2) A person performing functions in the discharge of official duties on behalf of the United States government including, but not limited to, the armed forces, coast guard, public health service, veterans' bureau, or bureau of Indian affairs; or
     (3) A person completing the clinical portion of a surgical technology education program.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4 The department of health shall adopt rules necessary to implement this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5 Sections 1 through 3 of this act take effect August 1, 2014.

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