H-0701.1
HOUSE BILL 1547
State of Washington
68th Legislature
2023 Regular Session
ByRepresentatives Caldier, Christian, Volz, Eslick, Hutchins, and Graham
Read first time 01/24/23.Referred to Committee on Health Care & Wellness.
AN ACT Relating to increasing the health care workforce by authorizing out-of-state providers to practice immediately; and adding a new chapter to Title 18 RCW.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1. (1) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, an out-of-state health care provider is authorized to practice in the state upon submission of information by a health care entity as required by this section.
(2) To obtain an authorization under subsection (1) of this section, a health care entity shall submit the following information to the department for each health care provider seeking authorization to practice in this state:
(a) The health care provider's name;
(b) The health care provider's residential address;
(c) The state or territory where the health care provider holds an active license and license number;
(d) The health care provider's email address;
(e) A signed attestation that confirms the following:
(i) The health care provider holds a current and active license in another state or United States territory;
(ii) The health care provider's license, in all jurisdictions where a license is held, has not been encumbered;
(iii) There are no liability or malpractice insurance claims or pending lawsuits against the health care provider; and
(iv) The health care provider will be practicing at a health care entity in Washington.
(3) A health care provider must maintain an active and unencumbered license in another state or United States territory at all times while practicing in this state pursuant to this section.
(4) The health care entity shall be responsible for the actions or inactions of the health care provider.
NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2. A health care provider authorized to practice under section 1 of this act is only authorized to provide the services and procedures authorized by the state in which the health care provider holds an active license.
NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3. The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(1) "Department" means the department of health.
(2) "Health care entity" means hospitals licensed under chapter 70.41 RCW, nursing homes licensed under chapter 18.51 RCW, behavioral health agencies licensed under chapter 71.05 or 71.24 RCW, ambulatory diagnostic, treatment, or surgical facilities licensed under chapter 70.41 or 70.230 RCW, community health centers, and medical test sites licensed under chapter 70.42 RCW.
(3) "Health care provider" means a person regulated under this title to practice health or health-related services or otherwise practicing health care services in this state consistent with state law.
NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4. Sections 1 through 3 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 18 RCW.
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