FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 5669

                                  C 277 L 88

BYSenate Committee on Health Care & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senators Wojahn and Deccio)

Providing for certification of dietitians and nutritionists.

Senate Committee on Health Care & Corrections

House Committe on Health Care

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

The state does not regulate dietitians or nutritionists.  The practice of dietetics generally involves the science of applying the principles of nutrition to the feeding of individuals and groups under differing economic and social conditions or for preventative, curative or restorative purposes.  The practice of a nutritionist generally involves counseling healthy individuals in the selection of appropriate food to meet normal nutritional needs.

The State Health Coordinating Council (SHCC) has recommended that dietitians and nutritionists be regulated by the state.  In its review of the profession, the SHCC concluded that the "public needs a way of identifying practitioners who are qualified to diagnose and prescribe dietetic/nutrition information accepted by the majority of scientifically-based health care professionals".

The SHCC recommended certification as the appropriate level of state regulation.  Certification protects professional titles and establishes educational and professional requirements for individuals who practice under the protected titles.

SUMMARY:

A new chapter is added to the statutes which establishes a state certification program for dietitians and nutritionists.  The titles "certified dietitian" and "certified nutritionist" are protected. 

The Director of Licensing is the rule-making authority for educational and disciplinary purposes.  The state dietitian/nutritionists advisory committee is created to assist the director in administration of the certification program.  The members of the committee are designated.

Educational and professional requirements are established for individuals seeking certification as a dietitian or nutritionist.  They are subject to the provisions of the Uniform Disciplinary Act.  The director is permitted to establish reciprocity rights for persons licensed or certified in other states.

Persons registered by the commission on dietetic registration are grandfathered into the certification program if their registration is valid on the effective date of the act.

Health insurance carriers are not required to or prohibited from providing benefits or coverage for persons served by certified dietitians or certified nutritionists.

Appropriation:    $70,178 to the Health Professions Account

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      Senate    42     6

      House 96   0

EFFECTIVE:June 9, 1988