BILL REQ. #:  H-3194.1 

Read first time 01/16/14.   Referred to Committee on Health Care & Wellness.

     AN ACT Relating to volunteer health care professionals licensed in a foreign jurisdiction; and adding a new section to chapter 43.70 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 43.70 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Persons licensed as health care professionals in another state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia, but not licensed by a disciplining authority specified in RCW 18.130.040, may practice in this state on a limited voluntary basis only as provided in this section.
     (2) The volunteer health care professional's license must be for a profession substantially equivalent to a profession regulated by a disciplining authority listed in RCW 18.130.040.
     (3) At least thirty days prior to the first day of volunteer practice, the volunteer health care professional must submit to the department an attestation that includes, but is not limited to, the following:     
     (a) A confirmation that the health care professional holds an active license to practice in any state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia;
     (b) A confirmation that the health care professional is not presently subject to any disciplinary action or investigation for criminal or professional misconduct in any jurisdiction;
     (c) An acknowledgment that the health care professional understands he or she may not perform any activity outside the relevant professional scope of practice permitted under Washington law, irrespective of the scope of practice permitted in his or her state or territory of residence;
     (d) A confirmation that the health care professional has not volunteered in Washington for more than thirty days in the current calendar year;
     (e) The contact information of the organization sponsoring the medical clinic or health care event, if any; and
     (f) Anticipated volunteer practice dates.
     (4) The attestation must be made on a form established by the secretary.
     (5) If the volunteer health care professional's practice is in response to a declared state of emergency under RCW 43.06.010, he or she must submit the attestation required in subsection (3) of this section as soon as practicable under the circumstances.
     (6) Neither the volunteer health care professional nor the organization sponsoring a medical clinic or health care event, if any, may charge for any time or services performed in Washington. However, organizations sponsoring a medical clinic or health care event or providing services during a declared state of emergency may pay or reimburse the volunteer health care professional for actual incurred travel costs.
     (7) No health care professional permitted to practice in Washington under this section may volunteer more than thirty days in any calendar year unless in immediate response to a declared state of emergency under RCW 43.06.010.
     (8) Any organization sponsoring a medical clinic or health care event using the services of any volunteer health care professional permitted to practice under this section must:
     (a) Independently verify each requirement in subsection (3) of this section for each volunteer health care professional and retain proof of verification for two years after the last day of the medical clinic or health care event;
     (b) Maintain the health care records of all patients evaluated or treated by a volunteer health care professional in compliance with chapter 70.02 RCW; and
     (c) Ensure the health care records of all patients evaluated or treated by a volunteer health care professional are accessible to future health care professionals, if needed.
     (9) This section does not create any civil liability on the part of the state or any state agency, officer, employee, or agent.