SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5669

BYSenators Wojahn and Deccio

Providing for certification of dietitians and nutritionists.

Senate Committee on Health Care & Corrections

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 3, 1988

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5669 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Johnson, Vice Chairman; Kreidler, Niemi, Smith, West.

Senate Staff:Scott Plack (786-7409)

                  February 8, 1988

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE & CORRECTIONS, FEBRUARY 1, 1988

BACKGROUND:

The state does not regulate dieticians or nutritionists.  The practice of dietetics generally involves the science of applying the principals 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 the counseling of health individuals in the selection of appropriate food to meet normal nutritional needs.

The State Health Coordinating Council (SHCC) has recommended that dieticians 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 dieticians and nutritionists.  The following titles are protected: "Dietitian", "dietician", "nutritionists", "D.", "C.D." and "C.N.".  It is a misdemeanor to use the titles without being certified under the program.

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 dietician or nutritionist.

Dieticians and nutritionists certified under the program are subject to the provisions of the Uniform Disciplinary Act.

The Director of Licensing is permitted to establish reciprocity rights for persons licensed or certified in other states.

An unspecified appropriation is made to the health professions account to fund the program.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

Provisions are deleted which grant the Director of Licensing and the Advisory Committee immunity from civil and criminal action on any certification proceedings.

Technical changes are made in the bill to make it compatible with standard certification boiler-plate language.  The changes clarify the titles "certified dietician" and "certified nutritionist" are protected.  The Uniform Disciplinary Act is referenced to clarify unauthorized practice is prohibited.  The Uniform Disciplinary Act 18.130 and the Health Professions Statutes 18.120 are amended to include dieticians and nutritionists.  The certification program is required to be financially self-sufficient with credentialing fees covering program costs.  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.

Appropriation:    $70,178 to the Health Professions Account

Revenue:    from fees

Fiscal Note:      available

Senate Committee - Testified: Kathleen Clark, Washington State Dietetic Association (for); Carl Mincin, A Nourishing Center (against); Natalie Gonzales, Washington State Dietetic Association (for); Linda Christoperson, Washington Association of Diet Centers (for); David Northwary, Washington Association of Diet Centers (for); Rob Matchett, Northwest Nutritional Foods Association (against); Barbara Randall, Barb's Natural Nutritional Service (against); Freeman Felt, International Association of Diet Centers (against); Lucy Phillips, SHCC