SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5752

BYSenator Kiskaddon

Adopting an omnibus registration act for health care professionals.

Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 2, 1987

Senate Staff:Scott Plack (786-7409)

AS OF FEBRUARY 27, 1987

BACKGROUND:

Currently licensure is required of approximately twenty-nine health related professions.  The intent of licensure is to protect the public interest through regulation which restricts entry into a health care practice and defines the scope of practice of various health care professions.  The present licensure programs cannot assure continued competence of a practicing health care professional.

SUMMARY:

It is recognized by the legislature that current technology in information processing has made it possible for citizens to make informed and intelligent health care choices without the need for state intervention through licensure.

A health care practitioner registration program is established within the Department of Licensing (DOL).  Practitioners are required to register with the Department providing a description of their therapeutic orientation, discipline, theory, method of treatment, qualifications, and courses of study completed.

Persons filing falsified registrations information are subject to class C felony prosecution.  Unregistered practice is prohibited.  Exemptions from registration are established for persons already registered with the state to perform certain services, United States Government employees, persons employed by state or local agencies which have established practice criteria, and students of health care professions in department approved training programs.

The director of DOL is granted authority establish rules, set registration fees, hire staff to administer the registration program, develop a dictionary of persons registered to provide health care services, administer the Uniform Disciplinary Act to discipline registered practitioners, establish health care access centers at driving licenses examining office around the state, and publish and disseminate information to educate the public. The director shall assess an additional fee on each registration application to fund public education.  The additional fee shall expire on June 30, 1994.

The director may establish advisory committees to fulfill the requirements of the Act.

Registered practitioners shall provide clients with disclosure information concerning their treatment practice and client rights and responsibilities. 

Confidentiality restrictions are established prohibiting disclosure of patient information without approval except under certain conditions.

The health care professional licensure acts are repealed.

Fiscal Note:      requested