SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 1252

BYHouse Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by Representatives Prentice, Morris, Wood, Patrick, Braddock, D. Sommers, G. Fisher, Day, Leonard, Ebersole and Wineberry;by request of Department of Licensing)

Changing provisions relating to registered nurses.

House Committe on Health Care

Senate Committee on Health Care & Corrections

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 16, 1989; March 22, 1989

Majority Report:  Do pass.

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

Senate Staff:Scott Plack (786-7409)

                  March 23, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE & CORRECTIONS, MARCH 22, 1989

BACKGROUND:

The Uniform Disciplinary Act for the health professions has covered the practice of nursing since its enactment in 1987.

Members of the state Board of Nursing may be removed by the Governor for dishonorable acts.  An officer of the board must be present at board meetings to constitute a quorum.

Applicants who fail the first examination for licensure as registered nurses may take another within a year without charge.

SUMMARY:

A quorum of the state Board of Nursing may be constituted without an officer.  Members of the board may be removed for incompetency or unprofessional conduct as defined by the Uniform Disciplinary Act.  Applicants for registered nurse licensure who fail their first examination must pay for subsequent examinations.  Statutory references are updated to reflect current terminology, and obsolete sections are repealed.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested March 7, 1989

Senate Committee - Testified: Chris Rose, Department of Licensing (pro)