HOUSE BILL REPORT
SSB 5614
As Amended by the House
BYSenate Committee on Health Care & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senators West, Johnson and Wojahn)
Monitoring a substance abuse program for dentists.
House Committe on Health Care
Majority Report: Do pass with amendments. (10)
Signed by Representatives Braddock, Chair; Day, Vice Chair; Brooks, Ranking Republican Member; Cantwell, Chandler, Morris, Prentice, Sommers, Vekich and Wolfe.
House Staff:John Welsh (786-7133)
AS PASSED HOUSE APRIL 6, 1989
BACKGROUND:
A voluntary state program for the detection, intervention, treatment and monitoring of health professionals, licensed, certified or registered by the state, and who are impaired by alcohol or drug abuse, is available as an alternative to sanctions for unprofessional conduct under the Uniform Disciplinary Act. Currently, dentists and veterinarians are covered under the program, but there is no authority to assess surcharges on licenses to finance the programs.
SUMMARY:
The Department of Licensing is required to levy a surcharge of $15 and $25 on the license fees of dentists and veterinarians, respectively, for financing voluntary substance abuse monitoring programs. The department is also authorized to levy a surcharge on other regulated health professionals for the same purpose.
The programs provide such services as prevention, referral and treatment, intervention and monitoring of health professionals impaired by alcohol and drug abuse.
Appropriation: $310,000 from the Health Professions Account to the Department of Licensing.
Fiscal Note: Available.
House Committee ‑ Testified For: David Michener; Washington State Dental Association.
House Committee - Testified Against: None Presented.
House Committee - Testimony For: Meeting the expenses of a treatment program for health professionals impaired by alcohol or drug abuse is often beyond the means of the individual. The costs of the program should be borne equally by all the licensees.
House Committee - Testimony Against: None Presented.