Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Health Care & Wellness Committee

HB 2313

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.

Brief Description: Providing the chiropractic quality assurance commission with additional authority over budget development, spending, and staffing.

Sponsors: Representatives Cody, Schmick, Caldier, Appleton, Pollet and Dolan.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Removes the expiration date on the Chiropractic Quality Assurance Commission’s pilot project which provided greater independent authority to the Commission over its budget, performance measures, and consulting on rules and guidelines, making the independent authority permanent. 

Hearing Date: 1/10/18

Staff: Kim Weidenaar (786-7120).

Background:

The regulation of the 86 health professions in Washington is divided between the Secretary of Health (Secretary), the 12 health professions boards, and the five health professions commissions. Responsibilities for licensing, examination, discipline, and rulemaking vary between the entities as do membership requirements. In 2008 the Medical Quality Assurance Commission and the Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission were selected to participate in a pilot project to expand the responsibilities of the commissions. Although the Chiropractic Quality Assurance Commission (Chiropractic Commission) was permitted to participate in the pilot project if the members of the commissions approved, the commission chose not to participate at that time.

In 2013 Chiropractic Commission was again allowed to participate in a five-year pilot project. Chiropractic Commission elected to participate and was allowed to hire its own executive director and permit the executive director to carry out the administrative duties of the Chiropractic Commission and manage the Department of Health staff that are assigned to the Chiropractic Commission. Under the pilot project, the Chiropractic Commission is responsible for establishing its own biennial budget, collaborating with the Secretary on credentialing fees, consulting with the Secretary on uniform rules and guidelines, and developing its own performance measures related to the consistent and timely regulation of health care professionals.

The Secretary and the Chiropractic Commission were required to report to the Governor and the Legislature by December 15, 2017 on the results of the pilot project, including its effectiveness compared to that of other disciplining authorities with respect to licensing and disciplinary activities, budgetary activity, and the ability to meet performance measures. The report recommended that the staffing and budgetary authority granted to the Chiropractic Commission under the pilot be made permanent.

The pilot is set to conclude on June 30, 2018.

Summary of Bill:

The expiration date of the pilot project that expands the authority of the Chiropractic Quality Assurance Commission (Chiropractic Commission) is removed. The Chiropractic Commission is given permanent authority over all of the duties and responsibilities included in the pilot project.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 4, 2018.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.