SENATE BILL REPORT
SHB 1586
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 of March 20, 2017
Title: An act relating to dental professions.
Brief Description: Concerning dental professions.
Sponsors: House Committee on Health Care & Wellness (originally sponsored by Representatives Macri and Cody; by request of Department of Health).
Brief History: Passed House: 2/28/17, 98-0.
Committee Activity: Health Care: 3/20/17.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE |
Staff: Evan Klein (786-7483)
Background: The Washington Dental Quality Assurance Commission (Commission) consists of 16 members, each appointed by the Governor to a four-year term. Twelve members of the Commission must be dentists, two members must be expanded function dental auxiliaries (EFDAs), and two members must be public members. Dentist members must be licensed in the practice of dentistry for at least five years before appointment. Of the 12 dentists appointed to the Commission, at least four must reside or practice east of the Cascade mountain range.
The Commission is responsible for the following regulatory activities:
preparing the examinations for applicants to practice dentistry or EFDA services;
establishing continuing dental education requirements for dentists;
adopting rules that govern the dentists, dental assistants (DAs) and EFDAs;
issuing or denying of licenses and credentials that allow dentists, DAs, and EFDAs to practice in Washington; and
conducting disciplinary proceedings against dentists, DAs, and EFDAs who are alleged to have committed acts of unprofessional conduct.
Summary of Bill: Licensed Dentists. The requirement that an applicant for licensure as a dentist submit a recent photo is eliminated.
Dental Quality Assurance Commission. The membership of the Commission is increased by one public member.
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 does two simple things: (1) it provides additional oversight to dentistry by adding a public member, and (2) it removes the photograph requirement for new licensees. The Department of Health does not feel the photograph requirement is necessary. The Commission currently has the lowest public member-to-professional ratio of any health professions commission. The removal of the photograph requirement would help the Commission implement its online licensure program.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Nicole Macri, Prime Sponsor; Trina Crawford, Department of Health, Executive Director, Dental Quality Assurance Commission.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.