BILL REQ. #:  S-1318.1 

Read first time 02/20/13.   Referred to Committee on Health Care .

     AN ACT Relating to alternative methods of satisfying continuing education credits for health care providers; and amending RCW 18.79.210 and 18.71.080.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 18.79.210 and 1996 c 191 s 63 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) A license issued under this chapter must be renewed, except as provided in this chapter. The licensee shall comply with administrative procedures, administrative requirements, and fees as determined under RCW 43.70.250 and 43.70.280.
     (2) The commission shall adopt rules to allow a person renewing a license under subsection (1) of this section to satisfy up to twenty-five percent of his or her continuing education credits by providing medical services to people enrolled in medicaid or, at no cost, to people who are uninsured. The commission shall recognize the satisfaction of one continuing education credit for each hour spent providing direct care to patients.

Sec. 2   RCW 18.71.080 and 2011 c 178 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1)(a) Every person licensed to practice medicine in this state shall pay licensing fees and renew his or her license in accordance with administrative procedures and administrative requirements adopted as provided in RCW 43.70.250 and 43.70.280.
     (b) The commission shall request licensees to submit information about their current professional practice at the time of license renewal. This information may include practice setting, medical specialty, board certification, or other relevant data determined by the commission.
     (c)(i) A physician who resides and practices in Washington and obtains or renews a retired active license shall be exempt from licensing fees imposed under this section. The commission may establish rules governing mandatory continuing education requirements which shall be met by physicians applying for renewal of licenses. The rules shall provide that mandatory continuing education requirements may be met in part by physicians showing evidence of the completion of approved activities relating to professional liability risk management. The number of hours of continuing education for a physician holding a retired active license shall not exceed fifty hours per year.
     (ii) The commission shall adopt rules to allow a person renewing a license under this subsection to satisfy up to twenty-five percent of his or her continuing education credits by providing medical services to people enrolled in medicaid or, at no cost, to people who are uninsured. The commission shall recognize the satisfaction of one continuing education credit for each hour spent providing direct care to patients.
     (2) The office of crime victims advocacy shall supply the commission with information on methods of recognizing victims of human trafficking, what services are available for these victims, and where to report potential trafficking situations. The information supplied must be culturally sensitive and must include information relating to minor victims. The commission shall disseminate this information to licensees by: Providing the information on the commission's web site; including the information in newsletters; holding trainings at meetings attended by organization members; or another distribution method determined by the commission. The commission shall report to the office of crime victims advocacy on the method or methods it uses to distribute information under this subsection.
     (3) The commission, in its sole discretion, may permit an applicant who has not renewed his or her license to be licensed without examination if it is satisfied that such applicant meets all the requirements for licensure in this state, and is competent to engage in the practice of medicine.