SENATE BILL REPORT
ESHB 1431
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. |
As Passed Senate, March 31, 2017
Title: An act relating to increasing the number of members on the board of osteopathic medicine and surgery.
Brief Description: Increasing the number of members on the board of osteopathic medicine and surgery.
Sponsors: House Committee on Health Care & Wellness (originally sponsored by Representatives Slatter, Cody and Jinkins; by request of Department of Health).
Brief History: Passed House: 2/27/17, 96-0.
Committee Activity: Health Care: 3/09/17, 3/09/17 [DP].
Floor Activity:
Passed Senate: 3/31/17, 46-0.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE |
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Rivers, Chair; Becker, Vice Chair; Cleveland, Ranking Minority Member; Kuderer, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Bailey, Conway, Keiser, Miloscia, Mullet and O'Ban.
Staff: Evan Klein (786-7483)
Background: Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery (Board). The Board consists of seven individuals appointed by the Governor for a period of five years each. The Board must consist of the following members:
one member who is a consumer with no financial or fiduciary relationships to a health care system; and
six members who have been in active practice as a licensed osteopathic physician in Washington for at least five years.
The Board has the following powers and duties:
to administer exams to applicants for licensure;
to make rules and regulations regarding the licensure and practice of osteopathic physicians;
to establish and administer requirements for continuing professional education;
to adopt rules governing the administration of sedation and anesthesia in the offices of osteopathic physicians; and
to keep official records of all of the Board's proceedings.
Compensation of Part-Time Board Members. Members of part-time boards and commissions often receive compensation for their work. The amount of compensation depends on the class in which the board or commission is designated. Boards that provide licensing functions for a profession are designated as class three. Members of class three groups are compensated $50 per day. Commissions that regulate health professions are designated as class five. Members of class five groups are compensated $250 per day.
Summary of Bill: Four members are added to the Board. The number of consumer members on the Board is increased from one to two. One osteopathic physician assistant is added to the Board. The two remaining additional members must be actively practicing osteopathic physicians.
The Board is designated as a class five group for purposes of compensation.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This bill recognizes the important role of the Board. The Board currently has seven members and has not increased since the Board's creation in 1979. As the profession has grown, the Board has not. This bill supports the addition of relevant voices to the profession. A larger Board will be more responsive to critical health and safety issues, and will allow the Board to more efficiently accomplish its duties. All of the additional cost from the new members would be paid for by licensing fees, and there would be no hit to the General Fund.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Vandana Slatter, Prime Sponsor; Blake Maresh, Department of Health/Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery; David Knutson, Washington Osteopathic Medical Assn; Kate White Tudor, Washington Academy of Physician Assistants.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.