SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 1783

BYHouse Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by Representatives P. King, Lewis, Day, Braddock and Cantwell)

Requiring the registration of nursing pools.

House Committe on Health Care

Senate Committee on Health Care & Corrections

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 19, 1988; February 24, 1988

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators Deccio, Chairman; Kreidler, Niemi, West, Wojahn.

Senate Staff:Scott Plack (786-7409)

                  February 25, 1988

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE & CORRECTIONS, FEBRUARY 24, 1988

BACKGROUND:

Nursing pools are private entrepreneurial organizations which contract with nursing homes or other health facilities to provide temporary employment of nursing personnel such as licensed nurses, licensed practical nurses, or nursing assistants.

There is no regulation of the employment practices of nursing pools.

SUMMARY:

Nursing pool operators are required to register annually with the Department of Licensing, supplying the names of the owners, corporate by-laws and other information required by the director. The department is required to develop minimum standards for the operation of nursing pools in employing competent and qualified nursing personnel, including documentation that employees meet minimum licensing standards.

Nursing pools are prohibited from requiring their employees to recruit new employees for the pool from the health facility assigned to, and from restricting in any manner the employment opportunities of pool employees.  Nursing pools are prohibited from requiring the payment of financial penalties by an employee if the employee is hired by a health facility.

Nursing pools are required to carry malpractice insurance.

The director is the disciplinary authority for those registered under this act, and the provisions of the Uniform Disciplinary Act for the health professions apply.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENTS:

The bill is rewritten with the striking amendment.

The Department of Licensing is authorized to license nursing pools.  Any person engaged in the business of providing, procuring, or referring health care personnel for temporary employment in health care facilities is considered a nursing pool.

Nursing pools registered under the act shall provide the director with the name and address of the pool, legal documents such as the current bylaws, and names of directors and corporate officers.

The pools shall document that each temporary employee is currently meeting state minimum credentialling standards.  Pools shall not require as a condition of employment that employees recruit new employees from health care facilities to which they have been assigned.  The pools will carry general and professional liability insurance.  The Uniform Disciplinary Act shall govern nursing pools.

State agencies shall not reimburse nursing pools which are not registered under this act.  The director of licensing shall report to the Legislature by July 1, 1989 on the effectiveness of this registration program.  The report may include minimum standards and shall include recommendations for improving the program.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested January 18, 1988

Senate Committee - Testified: Beveryly Jacobson, Seattle Area Hospital Council (for); Connie Roth, Department of Licensing (for); Glen Hudson, WHCA (for); Jack Weinbeyer (for); Karen Easterly (against)