SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 1608

BYHouse Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by Representative Walk)

Modifying the regulation of ocularists.

House Committe on Health Care

Senate Committee on Health Care & Corrections

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 30, 1989

Senate Staff:Scott Plack (786-7409)

AS OF MARCH 28, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Ocularists fabricate and fit ocular prosthetic appliances.  The profession is regulated by the Department of Licensing and a license is needed in order to practice.  An ocularist may only practice on a patient referred by a physician.  There are eight ocularists licensed in the state.

An applicant for licensure as an ocularist must have at least five years of apprenticeship training, have completed a prescribed ocularist training program, or have been in practice for eight years outside the state and employed by a licensed ocularist or physician for at least one year in the state.  Applicants must pass a state examination with a grade of 75 percent.  The license to practice expires on July 1, but may be reinstated upon the payment of a renewal fee. 

There is currently no general authority for the director to adopt rules, administer examinations, determine minimum education and experience, or carry out administrative duties.

There is no duty of an ocularist to explain to patients the type of service they are receiving.  There is also no state ocularist advisory committee to advise the director on matters pertaining to licensing.

SUMMARY:

A physician's referral is not required for replacement of an ocular appliance.  Definitions of department, advisory committee, apprentice, stock-eye, modified stock-eye, and custom eye are specified.

A nonresident applicant for licensure is no longer required to have eight years of practice outside the state or one year of employment by an ocularist or physician in this state.  The applicant must have at least 10,000 hours of apprenticeship or equivalent experience as a practicing ocularist or a combination of training and supervision.

An apprentice ocularist must complete 10,000 hours of apprenticeship training within eight years.

The administrative duties of the director are specified.  A license expires on a date established by the director.  An ocularist must explain to patients the services they receive and failure to do so may result in license revocation.  A state Ocularist Advisory Committee is created of three members for three year terms:  a physician, an ocularist and an employee of the department.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available